Colombia prevented a potentially damaging trade war with the United States by agreeing to accept deported migrants via U.S. military flights. The agreement followed threats from President Donald Trump, who proposed steep tariffs and other penalties if Colombia failed to comply.
Trump & Colombia
Recently, Colombia announced it had accepted “all of President Trump’s terms,” including the unrestricted acceptance of Colombian nationals deported from the U.S. This followed a weekend of diplomatic turmoil where Colombia blocked two U.S. military planes carrying deportees.
“We will continue to receive women who return as deportees, guaranteeing them decent conditions as citizens subject to rights,” said Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo in a televised address.
Murillo added that deportation flights had resumed, and the Colombian presidential plane was being prepared to assist in repatriation efforts.
In turn, The White House scaled back its tariff threats but maintained other penalties, including visa restrictions and customs inspections of Colombian nationals and cargo ships. The administration stated that these measures would remain until the first group of deportees successfully arrived in Colombia.
The White House: “Today’s events make clear to the world that America is respected again... President Trump will continue to protect our nation’s sovereignty.”
Diplomatic Dispute Escalates
The dispute began Sunday when two U.S. military planes en route to Colombia were denied entry.
While documents reportedly showed prior authorisation for the flights, Colombian President Gustavo Petro disputed this, accusing the U.S. of mistreating Colombian migrants. In response, Trump threatened sweeping tariffs on Colombian imports, a travel ban for its citizens, and the suspension of visa processing.
Petro retaliated with his threats, including tariffs on U.S. goods, and criticised Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on social media. By Sunday evening, however, the two countries reached an agreement, ending a standoff that could have had widespread economic implications.
U.S. Foreign Policy: Stick Over Carrot
Such events highlighted the potential fallout from Trump’s aggressive immigration policies. While Colombia is not a major U.S. trading partner, it exports key goods such as coffee, minerals, and flowers. Steep tariffs could have led to higher prices for American consumers and significant economic losses for Colombian industries, which employ hundreds of thousands.
The Colombo-American Chamber of Commerce warned that retaliatory actions would harm Colombia more than the U.S.
“In coffee alone, more than 500,000 families depend on this sector. In flower farming, thousands of single mothers would lose their livelihood,” said Maria Claudia Lacouture, head of the chamber.
Controversy Over Deportation Flights
The dispute also raised concerns about the treatment of deportees.
Brazil joined Colombia in condemning the Trump administration’s handling of deportation flights, describing conditions as “degrading.” Brazilian authorities cited the use of handcuffs and chains and poor aircraft conditions as reasons for refusing entry to a U.S. deportation flight last week.
With U.S. immigration policies under scrutiny, other nations are bracing for similar confrontations as the Trump administration intensifies deportation efforts.
The agreement with Colombia may have defused tensions for now, but it represents the challenges for those states of the Global South whose nationals reside illegally in the U.S.
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