White House Says Colombia Agrees to Allow Repatriated Migrants to Return on US Military Flights
The White House announced Sunday night that Colombia has agreed to allow the United States to transport repatriated migrants back to the country on US military flights, following a showdown between President Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart, President Gustavo Petro.
The agreement came after Trump ordered “emergency 25% tariffs” on all imports from Colombia, as well as a “travel ban” on Colombian citizens and revocation of visas for Colombian officials in the US. However, the tariffs and visa restrictions will be paused if Colombia does not honor the agreement, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The standoff began Sunday when two US military planes carrying deportees were blocked by Colombia, prompting Trump to take action. The planes were carrying migrants who had been arrested at various US-Mexico border crossings and were being repatriated to Colombia under a bilateral agreement.
Prior to the US government’s announcement, Trump had tweeted, “These measures are just the beginning. 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!”
Petro had earlier rejected the US plan, saying that the US “can’t treat Colombian migrants like criminals.” He threatened a 25% retaliatory tariff increase on the US and attacked Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on social media.
However, the drama seemed to ease on Sunday evening, as Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo confirmed that the US deportation flights have resumed. The US and Colombia have agreed to the “unrestricted acceptance” of migrants from Colombia, allowing them to be returned to the country, including on US military aircraft, without limitation or delay.
The escalating trade threats mark the first time Trump has taken major action against another country over his immigration policy since taking office.
