BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned Sunday that he was ordering tariffs, visa restrictions and different retaliatory measures to be taken in opposition to Colombia after its authorities rejected two flights carrying migrants.
Trump mentioned the measures had been essential, as a result of the choice of Colombian President Gustavo Petro “jeopardized” nationwide safety within the U.S.
“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Reality Social. “We 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.”
Earlier Sunday, Petro mentioned that his authorities received’t settle for flights carrying migrants deported from the U.S. till the Trump administration creates a protocol that treats them with “dignity.” Petro made the announcement in two X posts, considered one of which included a information video of migrants reportedly deported to Brazil strolling on a tarmac with restraints on their fingers and ft.
“A migrant is not a criminal and must be treated with the dignity that a human being deserves,” Petro mentioned. “That is why I returned the U.S. military planes that were carrying Colombian migrants.”
Christian Chavez through Related Press
Colombia accepted 475 deportation flights from the US from 2020 to 2024, fifth behind Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador, based on Witness on the Border, an advocacy group that tracks flight information. It accepted 124 deportation flights in 2024.
Final 12 months, Colombia and different international locations started accepting U.S.-funded deportation flights from Panama.
The U.S. authorities didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark from The Related Press concerning plane and protocols utilized in deportations to Colombia.
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla, added that his nation would obtain Colombians in “civilian airplanes” and “without treatment like criminals.”
As a part of a flurry of actions to make good on U.S. President Donald Trump’s marketing campaign guarantees to crack down on unlawful immigration, his authorities is utilizing active-duty navy to assist safe the border and perform deportations.
Two Air Pressure C-17 cargo planes carrying migrants faraway from the U.S. touched down early Friday in Guatemala. That very same day, Honduras acquired two deportation flights carrying a complete of 193 folks.
In saying what he referred to as “urgent and decisive retaliatory measures,” Trump defined that he ordered “25% tariffs on all goods coming into the United States,” which might be raised to 50% in a single week. He mentioned he additionally ordered “A Travel Ban and immediate Visa Revocations” on Colombian authorities officers, allies and supporters.
“All Party Members, Family Members, and Supporters of the Colombian Government,” Trump wrote might be topic to “Visa Sanctions.” He didn’t say to which get together he was referring to or present any extra particulars on the visa and journey restrictions.
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Trump added that every one Colombians will face enhanced customs inspections.
Regina Garcia Cano reported from Caracas, Venezuela.
