Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Jan 27: US President Donald Trump has imposed a 25 per cent tariff on all imports from Colombia in retaliation for the country’s refusal to allow two deportation flights carrying immigrants to land. The move escalates tensions between the two nations and highlights growing international resistance to US deportation operations.

Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump expressed outrage, stating, “I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia.” He criticized Colombian president Gustavo Petro for actions he claimed jeopardized US national security and public safety.

In response, Trump announced several retaliatory measures, including an immediate 25 per cent tariff on Colombian goods, with a warning to raise it to 50 per cent within a week if the dispute remains unresolved. Additional measures include:

• A travel ban and visa revocations targeting Colombian government officials, Petro’s allies, and members of his party.
• Enhanced customs and border inspections for Colombian nationals and cargo.
• Sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Earlier, Colombian president Gustavo Petro had declared on social media platform X that his government would not accept US deportation flights unless protocols guaranteeing the dignified treatment of migrants were established. He also demanded the use of civilian planes instead of military aircraft for these operations.

Following Trump’s tariff announcement, Petro retaliated by directing Colombia’s foreign trade minister to impose a reciprocal 25 per cent tariff on US imports.

The issue adds to a growing list of international objections to US deportation flights. Recently, deportation operations to Mexico, Guatemala, and Brazil have also faced resistance, with Brazilian authorities condemning the treatment of deported individuals.

Between 2020 and 2024, Colombia had accepted 475 deportation flights from the US, including 124 flights in 2024 alone. However, Petro’s stance marks a significant shift in Colombia’s cooperation on such matters.

Deportation flights have intensified since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, as part of his administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal records. According to the White House, over 1,000 undocumented immigrants were apprehended within two days, with hundreds deported via military aircraft.

The standoff signals potential economic and diplomatic fallout between the US and Colombia, as both nations dig in their heels over the contentious deportation issue.