President Donald Trump announced a series of retaliatory measures against Colombia after the South American nation denied entry to two U.S. military deportation flights, carrying about 80 Colombian migrants each. The flights, conducted on U.S. military C-17 aircraft, departed from California and were grounded by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who revoked all diplomatic clearances for the aircraft.
In response to Colombia’s actions, President Trump unveiled a package of punitive measures, including tariffs on Colombian imports, visa sanctions on government officials and allies, enhanced customs inspections, and financial penalties. These measures were implemented due to the U.S. accusing Colombia of failing to fulfill its obligations to accept deported nationals.
In a tit-for-tat move, President Petro announced a 25% tariff on all imports from the U.S. Additionally, he stated that Colombia would redirect its exports to other countries in response to the U.S. sanctions.
The tensions between the two countries come amidst a broader crackdown on illegal immigration by the Trump administration, which has seen an increase in military aircraft used for deportations. This approach has faced criticism from various nations, including Mexico and Brazil, for what they consider to be degrading treatment of deportees.
Mexico, for instance, recently blocked two U.S. planes carrying deportees from landing, citing opposition to the United States’ unilateral actions on immigration policy. Colombian President Petro echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need to treat migrants with dignity and respect.
Guatemala, on the other hand, accepted about 265 deported nationals from the U.S. on military aircraft, as part of the broader enforcement efforts by the Trump administration at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The use of military planes for deportation, as opposed to civilian aircraft, has sparked international backlash and condemnation. Critics argue that migrants should not be treated as criminals and deserve humane treatment during repatriation efforts.
As tensions escalate between the U.S. and Colombia, the implications of these retaliatory measures and deportation methods remain to be seen. The global community is closely watching how these developments will unfold and impact diplomatic relations moving forward.
