US President Donald Trump has announced retaliatory measures against Colombia after Colombian President Gustavo Petro refused landing rights to US deportation flights carrying illegal immigrants. Trump stated, “I was informed that two repatriation flights, carrying a significant number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia.” He directed his administration to take urgent and decisive action.
Trump’s response includes a 25% emergency tariff on all Colombian goods entering the US, which will double within a week. This move impacts Colombia significantly as the US is its largest trading partner, with approximately $12 billion worth of Colombian goods imported annually.
Additionally, Trump announced visa revocations and travel bans for Colombian government officials and their allies. Visa sanctions will also apply to members of Petro’s left-wing Human Colombia party and their families. Enhanced inspections by Customs and Border Protection agents are planned for Colombian visitors to the US, alongside financial sanctions on Bogota. “These measures are just the beginning,” Trump warned.
Earlier, Petro had stated he would not allow deportation flights until the US guarantees dignified treatment of deportees. However, ICE has been conducting daily raids across the US since Monday, detaining 421 individuals for removal on Saturday alone in cities like Boston and New York. Two military aircraft carrying 160 people were flown to Guatemala on Thursday, with more flights scheduled for Friday. It remains unclear how many Colombian nationals await deportation.