Trump Targets Colombia with Trade and Visa Sanctions Over Deportation Standoff

On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a series of retaliatory actions against Colombia, including tariffs, visa restrictions, and other measures, in response to the Colombian government’s decision to reject two U.S. flights carrying deported migrants. Trump defended the measures as necessary, claiming that Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s refusal to accept the flights “jeopardized” U.S. national security.

“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump declared on his social media platform, Truth Social. He emphasized that the United States would not allow Colombia to disregard its legal obligations to accept deported individuals. “We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the criminals they forced into the United States,” Trump wrote.

Earlier on Sunday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated that his country would no longer accept flights carrying deported migrants from the United States unless the Trump administration established a protocol ensuring that deportees were treated with “dignity.” Petro shared his stance through posts on X, one of which featured a news video showing migrants deported to Brazil arriving with their hands and feet restrained.

“A migrant is not a criminal and must be treated with the dignity that a human being deserves,” Petro said. He also explained that this was the reason his government had refused entry to U.S. military planes transporting Colombian deportees. Petro further clarified that Colombia would accept its citizens only if they were transported on civilian aircraft and treated humanely.

Colombia has historically cooperated with U.S. deportation policies, having accepted 475 deportation flights between 2020 and 2024. This figure places Colombia fifth among countries receiving deportation flights from the United States, behind Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and El Salvador, according to data from Witness at the Border, an advocacy group that tracks such operations. In 2024 alone, Colombia received 124 deportation flights. Additionally, Colombia and other nations began accepting U.S.-funded deportation flights from Panama in the past year.

The Trump administration has faced growing scrutiny over the treatment of deported migrants. The U.S. government did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press regarding the use of military aircraft or protocols for deportations to Colombia.

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla, reiterated his government’s commitment to the humane treatment of deportees. He stated that while Colombia would welcome its returning citizens, they must arrive on civilian planes and be treated with respect, not as criminals.

Trump’s announcement aligns with his broader efforts to deliver on campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration. As part of this strategy, the administration has deployed active-duty military personnel to secure the southern border and assist with deportations. On Friday, two U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo planes carrying migrants landed in Guatemala, and two additional deportation flights delivered 193 deportees to Honduras.

In announcing what he called “urgent and decisive retaliatory measures,” Trump detailed his response to Colombia’s decision. He ordered an immediate 25% tariff on all goods imported from Colombia, with plans to increase the rate to 50% within a week if the situation remains unresolved. Additionally, Trump announced a “travel ban and immediate visa revocations” targeting Colombian government officials, their families, and supporters.

“All party members, family members, and supporters of the Colombian Government,” Trump wrote, will face visa restrictions. However, he did not clarify which political party he was referring to or provide further specifics regarding the travel and visa sanctions. Trump also stated that all Colombian nationals entering the United States would face enhanced customs inspections as part of the retaliatory measures.

This escalation marks a significant strain in U.S.-Colombia relations, as both governments remain at odds over immigration policies and deportation practices.