Colombia has agreed to accept deported migrants arriving on US military flights, averting a trade conflict with the United States.
The agreement follows a standoff between the two countries after Colombian President Gustavo Petro barred two US military deportation flights from landing in Bogota. In response, former US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Colombian goods.
Initially, Petro had demanded that deported Colombians be returned on civilian planes to ensure they were treated with dignity and not like criminals. However, after days of tense negotiations and public exchanges on social media, the Colombian government announced it would comply with US demands to accept deported migrants “without limitation or delay.” Colombia’s foreign ministry stated it had “overcome the impasse” with the US while committing to ensure the dignity of its returning citizens.
The White House hailed the agreement as a victory for Trump’s hardline immigration policies, emphasizing that the tariffs and additional visa sanctions prepared as retaliatory measures would not proceed unless Colombia failed to honor the deal.
A White House statement noted that Colombia had met “all of President Trump’s demands,” although visa sanctions and border inspections on Colombians would remain in place until the first deportation flight was successfully completed.
Colombian President Petro, who had criticized Trump’s policies as a “blockade,” took to social media to defend Colombia’s sovereignty before agreeing to the terms. Petro had initially announced retaliatory tariffs against the US while highlighting Colombia’s cultural and natural heritage, calling it “the heart of the world.” Hours later, his government shifted its position, preparing the presidential plane to facilitate the return of deportees.
The agreement comes as part of Trump’s broader efforts to enforce stricter immigration policies. His administration has ramped up deportations and expanded Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) capacity to detain undocumented migrants.
Recent ICE operations in Chicago, led by “border czar” Tom Homan, underscored the administration’s focus on targeting unlawful migrants. Homan has called for increased funding to support the detention of migrants, including additional beds in detention centers.
The tensions between Colombia and the US have also sparked criticism of Trump’s approach to immigration. The recently passed Laken Riley Act, which expands the powers of immigration authorities, has drawn opposition from Democratic lawmakers, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who called it a “fundamental erosion of civil rights.” Despite these challenges, the resolution of the dispute with Colombia signals the Trump administration’s firm stance on immigration and trade negotiations.
