Miami, United States. – The relationship between the United States and Colombia crossed hours of maximum tension this Sunday, when the threats of both leaders – Donald Trump and Gustavo Petro – fear the beginning of an unprecedented commercial war.
The conflict exploded after Colombia denied the landing to two US military planes that transported deported Colombian citizens, which triggered harsh reprisals announced by the Trump administration and the reciprocal response of the Petro government. Finally, and after a day of intense crossings of statements, a last minute agreement was reached that postponed the imposition of punitive tariffs and diplomatic sanctions.
With the resolution of the conflict, the White House confirmed The acceptance “without restrictions” of all illegal immigrants in Colombia returned from US territory, “including those that arrive in military planes, without limitations or delay.”
Colombia, meanwhile, opted for a more moderate tone. Colombian Chancellor, Luis Gilberto Murillo, read on social networks The official statement: “The Colombian government informs that we have overcome the Impasse with the United States government ”. He also acknowledged that they will continue to receive those who return as deportees and assured that they will be “guaranteed decent conditions, as citizens subject to rights.”
The background dispute resided in the deportation method. President Gustavo Petro questioned that these returns were carried out in military aircraft and demanded that civil aircraft be used to transport people who, in their criteria, should not be treated as criminals. “The United States cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals,” Petro published in his X account. Even offered the presidential plane to support citizens’ return in case of not reacing with Washington.
Although, at the end of the day, the White House suspended the planned sanctions, Donald Trump’s executive made it clear that he will keep them in reserve if Colombia breaches the new commitments acquired. The same statement said that the threat of increasing tariffs “is postponed unless Colombia does not comply with the agreement”, in reference to the expeditious return of deported nationals.
Trump had announced the imposition of additional 25% in tariffs on “all goods” from Colombia, with the intention of increasing that rate up to 50% in case Petro maintained his position of rejection of receiving the deportees. The Colombian replica did not wait: Petro announced that it would increase its own tariffs at the same rate on American products imported to their country. “North American products whose price will rise within the national economy must be replaced by national production,” The president proclaimed in his X accountwhile instructing its Minister of Foreign Trade to execute the countermeasures.
As part of the reprisals, Trump also announced reinforced customs controls for any Colombian citizen and all the original products of that country, claiming “national security motifs.” In addition, he threatened to cancel the visas of officials and close to the Petro government if Colombia’s refusal persisted to receive the deportees. “President Trump is sending a strong and clear message to the entire world: if he enters illegally in the United States, he will face serious consequences,” assured Fox News White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The determination of the Petro administration to temporarily suspend deportation flights had its origin in the method used to transfer migrants. Petro considered that traveling handcuffed in military planes is a “degrading” and “unworthy” treatment. “They will never see me burning a gringa flag or making a ‘ratzia’ to return to the illegal handcuffs to the US,” The president underlinedwho also indicated that 15,660 Americans reside in Colombia irregularly, which he invited to regularize his situation. Even so, the president granted that he cannot force the stay of those who are not welcome in US territory.
In his first week at the head of the new mandate, Trump has accelerated the deportations of undocumented migrants and hardened the processes for obtaining asylum or refuge.
