Colombia deportation flights
Colombia deportation flights

The United States has withdrawn its plan to impose 25% tariffs on Colombian goods after Bogota agreed to accept deported migrants without restrictions, the White House announced.

The decision comes after a tense standoff between the two nations, sparked by Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s refusal to allow two U.S. military deportation flights to land in the country. Petro had initially insisted that repatriated citizens be returned via civilian planes and treated with dignity.

In a statement, the White House said Colombia had now agreed to accept deportees on U.S. military aircraft “without limitation or delay.” The agreement was hailed as a victory for former President Donald Trump’s hard-line approach to immigration enforcement.

“Colombia has committed to honoring all of President Trump’s demands,” the White House said. The administration emphasized that retaliatory measures, including tariffs, visa sanctions, and enhanced border inspections, would remain an option should the agreement falter.

The diplomatic clash escalated after Trump announced “urgent and decisive retaliatory measures” in response to Colombia’s initial stance. On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump revealed plans for tariffs and visa restrictions.

Petro responded with defiance, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn what he described as a U.S. “blockade.” He asserted Colombia’s sovereignty, writing, “Your blockade does not scare me, because Colombia, besides being the country of beauty, is the heart of the world.”

The tensions were swiftly de-escalated, with Colombia’s foreign ministry announcing that the two sides had “overcome the impasse.” Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo confirmed that Colombia would continue to receive deported citizens, ensuring they are treated with dignity.

Murillo added that Petro’s presidential plane had been prepared to repatriate the deportees originally scheduled for the blocked U.S. flights. The foreign minister is expected to travel to Washington for high-level meetings to reinforce bilateral ties and maintain open dialogue.

The White House has made it clear that visa sanctions and enhanced border inspections on Colombians will remain in effect until the first batch of deportees is successfully returned.

The resolution underscores the complexities of immigration policy and the delicate balance of U.S.-Colombia relations, which remain critical amid broader discussions of regional migration challenges.

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