Colombia accepts deported migrants after Trump administration pressure

By Addison Brewer-Hay

President Donald Trump threatened high tariffs and restrictions after Colombian President Gustavo Petro refused to accept deported individuals and expressed concern over their treatment. 

Trump expressed that his tariffs were necessary as Petro’s choice to decline the military aircraft carrying deported individuals put the United States’ safety in jeopardy. Initially, President Trump ordered visa restrictions and 25% tariffs on all Colombian incoming goods, which would later be raised to 50% after a week. Petro responded with a 25% tariff increase on U.S. goods. 

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump expressed that this was only the beginning of America’s pressure, stating the United States “will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States.”

In response, President Petro said in an X post that his government will not accept the American flights until the individuals are treated with “dignity.” 

Since this incident, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Colombia has accepted the Trump administration’s tariffs as well as the return of deported immigrants. 

Traditionally, Colombia has been one of the United State’s top allies in Latin America. However, the relationship has strained as Petro became the first leftist Colombian president in 2022 and has distanced himself from the U.S.