On Sunday, US President Donald Trump ordered extensive tariffs and sanctions against Colombia in retaliation for President Gustavo Petro’s refusal to accept deportation flights. In response, Bogota imposed a 25% tariff on US goods.
Back in office for less than a week, Trump expressed frustration after Petro turned away the US planes. In retaliation, Trump announced a 25% tariff on Colombian products, which was set to increase to 50% in a week. While the authority for these measures was unclear, given Colombia’s free-trade agreement with the United States, Trump also declared that Colombian government officials and their supporters would face visa revocations, with stricter airport scrutiny for Colombian nationals.
“These measures are just the beginning. 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!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
Petro’s Response and Rising Tensions
Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing president in 2022, countered by ordering his trade minister to raise tariffs on US imports to 25%. In a defiant message posted on X (formerly Twitter), he told Trump, “You will never dominate us.” Petro has also prohibited US planes from entering Colombian airspace with deported migrants, calling the treatment of Colombian migrants in the US unjust.
While Colombia offered to send its presidential plane to the US to return migrants “with dignity,” Petro reaffirmed his position that US-deported migrants should not be treated as criminals. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Petro for approving the flights and then cancelling them while airborne.
Petro’s refusal to cooperate with Trump’s demands sparked outrage among his critics in Colombia. Former President Ivan Duque labelled the move as “irresponsible,” stressing that Colombia had a moral duty to accept deported migrants and warning of the severe impact of US sanctions.
Trump’s aggressive deportation tactics have raised tensions across Latin America, with several countries condemning his approach. Brazil, under its left-wing president, criticized the Trump administration for its treatment of deported Brazilian migrants, who were allegedly handcuffed during their flights, with some migrants fainting due to poor conditions.
Latin America’s Growing Resistance to Trump’s Deportation Policies
Trump’s new approach includes using military aircraft for some deportation flights, which has drawn concern from countries like Brazil and Guatemala. However, Latin American nations like Mexico and Honduras are launching programs to support returning migrants. Mexico’s “Mexico Embraces You” initiative plans to open shelters for deported citizens, while Honduras offers returnees solidarity payments, food, and employment opportunities.
