Following Colombia’s denial of entrance to two U.S. military deportation planes, President Donald Trump declared on Sunday that he will enact broad retaliatory measures against the country, including tariffs and visa bans.
“These actions are only the first steps. Regarding the reception and repatriation of the criminals they pushed into the United States, we will not permit the Colombian government to flout its legal duties.” Trump stated in a post on Truth Social.
The flights were rejected, according to Department of Homeland Security and Defense Department officials who spoke to NBC News.
The defense official told NBC News that the flights, which were operated aboard U.S. military C-17 aircraft, had left California and were transporting roughly 80 Colombian migrants apiece.
As the U.S. accuses Colombia of failing to accept deported nationals, Trump responded on TruthSocial with sweeping retaliatory measures that include enhanced customs inspections, financial penalties, visa sanctions on government officials and allies, and tariffs on Colombian imports.
In his letter, Trump defended these actions by stating that “[President Gustavo] Petro’s denial of these flights has jeopardized the National Security and Public Safety of the United States.”
He went on to say that within a week, the 25% tariffs on all Colombian imports would increase to 50% duties.
Trump’s retaliatory actions also include “Visa Sanctions on all Party Members, Family Members, and Supporters of the Colombian Government,” as well as “A Travel Ban and immediate Visa Revocations on the Colombian Government Officials, and all Allies and Supporters.”
The Office of the United States Trade Representative estimates that the total value of goods and services traded between the United States and Colombia in 2022 will be $53.5 billion, with exports slightly outpacing imports.
Additionally, according to the Bureau of Industry and Security, the top three Colombian imports into the United States in recent years were agricultural products, which accounted for more than 26% of imports, oils and minerals, and cement and lime, which accounted for over 40% of imports.
The person stated that after Colombian President Gustavo Petro abruptly rescinded all diplomatic clearances for the aircraft, the flights that had been cleared for landing were grounded.
The flights were stopped because the government was emphasizing “dignified conditions” for the migrants, not because Petro didn’t want to make it easier for Colombians to return to their homeland, according to a later statement from Petro’s office.
“The Government of Colombia, under the leadership of President Gustavo Petro, has arranged for the presidential plane to facilitate the dignified return of Colombian nationals who were to arrive in the country today in the morning hours, coming from deportation flights,” said the statement.
“This measure responds to the Government’s commitment to guarantee dignified conditions,” the statement continued. Colombians have never been or will never be exiled from Colombian land since they are patriots and citizens with rights.
Stay tuned for real-time updates.
This comes after tensions were raised and deportation efforts were thwarted last week when Mexico temporarily prevented two American planes carrying 80 passengers each from landing. Mexican officials have voiced their opposition to the United States’ unilateral immigration policy moves, even though the matter was eventually settled.
Petro denounced the use of military aircraft for deportations in a statement posted on X.
He wrote that a migrant should be treated with the respect that every human being is entitled to because they are not criminals. Without treating them like criminals, we will transport our citizens in private aircraft. Colombia has to be respected.
Citing the use of handcuffs, a malfunctioning air conditioner, and other infractions of a bilateral agreement that guarantees humane treatment, the Brazilian government denounced what it saw as the dehumanizing treatment of its citizens on an ICE repatriation aircraft on Friday.
According to the Guatemalan Migration Institute, the U.S. sent three flights carrying over 265 deported citizens to Guatemala on Friday, including two military planes.
The flights are a component of the Trump administration’s anti-illegal immigration campaign, which was started in his first week in office with executive orders. The government has sent 1,500 more troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to bolster enforcement in addition to deportation activities.