US President Donald Trump has imposed significant tariffs and sanctions on Colombia in response to the country’s refusal to accept deportation flights for its nationals.
Trump, who re-entered office less than a week ago, announced a 25% tariff on Colombian goods, which would increase to 50% within a week.
His decision comes as part of his broader push to crack down on immigration and confront growing resistance in Latin America.
Trump also declared that he would revoke visas for Colombian government officials and supporters of President Gustavo Petro.
He added that Colombians would face heightened scrutiny at US airports. “These measures are just the beginning,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations regarding the acceptance and return of criminals they forced into the United States.”
The dispute arises from Colombia’s refusal to allow US planes carrying deported Colombian migrants to land.
President Petro, elected in 2022 as the first left-wing leader of Latin America’s fourth-largest economy, has resisted Trump’s deportation policies.
Petro posted on X that “The United States cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals” and vowed to block the entry of US planes carrying deported citizens.
In a follow-up post, he mentioned that US military planes were turned back, which Trump confirmed as two US planes were denied entry.
In response to the situation, Colombia offered to send its own presidential plane to the United States to transport deported migrants “with dignity” but stated that it would allow civilian US flights only if the migrants were treated humanely.
Petro further explained that over 15,600 undocumented US nationals currently reside in Colombia, and while he encouraged them to “regularize their situation,” he ruled out deportation raids.
This diplomatic standoff comes ahead of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Latin America, which notably excludes Colombia.
The tensions reflect broader challenges for Trump’s administration, as it faces pushback from left-wing governments in Latin America, including Brazil.
Brazil recently condemned the treatment of Brazilian deportees who were shackled during their flights back to their country, calling it a “flagrant disregard” for their human rights.
One of the deportees, Edgar Da Silva Moura, shared his experience, describing the inhumane conditions on the flight, including being shackled with hands and feet tied and denied basic needs like water and bathroom access.
The treatment of Brazilian migrants has sparked outrage, and similar reports have surfaced about the use of military aircraft for deportations under Trump’s administration.
While Trump’s policies are aimed at deterring illegal immigration, countries in Latin America have expressed a willingness to support their returning nationals.
Mexico has announced plans to provide shelters and humanitarian aid for deported migrants, while Honduras has launched a program offering support for its returnees.
