Colombia Agrees To Accept Deportation Flights After Trump Imposes 25 Per Cent Tariffs, US Then Pauses Sanctions

The United States (US) has suspended planned sanctions and tariffs on Colombia after the South American nation agreed to accept all terms proposed by US President Donald Trump, including receiving deported Colombian migrants on US military flights, according to The Hindu.

White House Press Secretary Karolina Leavitte announced the development late Sunday (26 January) stating, “The Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on US military aircraft, without limitation or delay.”

This agreement follows a tense standoff earlier in the day when Colombian President Gustavo Petro denied entry to two US military planes carrying Colombian migrants.

Petro declared on X, “The US cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals. I deny the entry of American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory.”

President Trump, angered by Petro’s refusal, described the move as jeopardising US national security and public safety. In response, Trump announced visa restrictions, a 25 per cent tariff on Colombian imports, and enhanced inspections of Colombian nationals and cargo.

Following the US measures, the Colombian government announced it would send a presidential plane to facilitate the “dignified return” of deported nationals.

Petro emphasised his government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of Colombians, stating, “In no way have Colombians, as patriots and subjects of rights, been or will be banished from Colombian territory.”

However, Petro retaliated by imposing a 25 per cent tariff on American imports, urging the replacement of US goods with locally produced alternatives.

“American products whose price will rise within the national economy must be replaced by national production, and the government will help in this regard,” Petro declared.