Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced that he will not allow U.S. military planes carrying deported Colombian migrants to land in Colombia. This decision highlights his demand for dignity and respect for migrants and reflects growing regional opposition to U.S. deportation practices.
Petro’s Stand on Migrants
President Petro, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), declared that Colombian migrants must not be treated like criminals. He has banned U.S. military aircraft from entering Colombian airspace with deported migrants. However, he clarified that civilian planes carrying deportees would still be permitted, provided the migrants are treated with dignity. Petro’s main objection is to the use of military planes, which he views as dehumanizing.
Regional Opposition to U.S. Deportation Practices
Colombia is not alone in resisting U.S. deportation policies.
Brazil: The Brazilian government has criticized the poor treatment of deported Brazilian migrants, including inhumane conditions during their deportation. Brazil has demanded explanations from the U.S. government.
Mexico: Mexico has also refused to allow U.S. military deportation flights, citing similar concerns about dignity and sovereignty.
This united stance across Latin America reveals growing dissatisfaction with how the U.S., under President Donald Trump’s administration, is handling deportations.
Background on Trump’s Deportation Policies
• In his second term, President Trump has launched what he calls the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. This includes:
• Using U.S. military planes to deport migrants—a practice rarely seen before.
• Deploying troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Reinstating policies like “Remain in Mexico,” which forces asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their cases are processed.
These actions have drawn criticism both in the U.S. and abroad for being excessively harsh.
Reports of Inhumane Treatment
Reports and images released by the White House show migrants being deported in shackles, sparking outrage. Many argue this treatment is degrading and violates basic human dignity. The use of military planes for these operations has been especially controversial, raising concerns about sovereignty and human rights in Latin America.
Broader Implications
The growing resistance from countries like Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico highlights a major conflict between U.S. immigration policies and the rights of Latin American migrants. This situation underscores the need for more humane and respectful treatment of migrants, as well as better cooperation between nations on immigration issues.
In his latest post on X, President Gustavo Petro stated:
“There are 15,660 U.S. citizens living illegally in Colombia. They should approach our immigration services to legalize their status.
I hope the dialogue on the Darién issue does not stall. Without regularization, illegal activities will increase. We already saw this when the U.S. blocked Venezuela, triggering a massive wave of migration.
The dignity of Colombia and Latin America comes first. Migrants are human beings with rights and must be treated as such.”
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Trump Threatens Sanctions, 25%-50% Tariffs on Colombian Goods Over Deportation Dispute
On Sunday, Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will impose strict sanctions and tariffs on Colombia for not allowing U.S. military planes carrying deported migrants to land. He stated on Truth Social that a 25% tariff will be applied to all Colombian imports immediately, increasing to 50% within a week.

Trump announced that the U.S. will impose a travel ban and revoke visas for Colombian government officials after Colombia refused to accept U.S. deportation flights.
Top U.S. Imports from Colombia in 2023
The United States imports various goods from Colombia, including crude petroleum, coffee, cut flowers, gold, refined petroleum, bananas, textiles, avocados, cocoa, and emeralds. These imports, particularly crude petroleum and coffee, play a significant role in U.S.-Colombia trade. Flowers, especially around Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, are another notable import, along with gold and refined petroleum. Textiles and apparel have increased due to trade agreements like the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. Avocados and cocoa, which are in growing demand, are also part of the import mix, and Colombia’s emeralds are sought after in the jewelry and collector markets. In 2023, the total value of U.S. imports from Colombia was about $16.96 billion, showing the strong economic relationship between the two countries.
The 25% tariff on all Colombian goods entering the US, rising to 50% in a week, could cause a $3.5 billion loss in export revenue, potentially doubling to $7 billion.
Key industries like coffee, flowers, and oil would be hit hard, leading to a 1-2% drop in Colombia’s GDP and thousands of job losses.
The tariffs could also weaken the Colombian peso, increase inflation, and lead to long-term market damage as US buyers find other suppliers, further hurting Colombia’s economy and discouraging foreign investment.
Update
The White House announces that Colombia has agreed to all of Trump’s conditions, including accepting deportation flights.
The White House press secretary stated late Sunday that the U.S. will refrain from imposing sanctions and tariffs on Colombia, as the South American country has agreed to accept deported migrants from the U.S.
A statement from the White House press secretary confirms that Colombia has agreed to the “unrestricted acceptance of illegal aliens returned from the United States.” Visa restrictions will remain in place until the first deportees arrive in Colombia, and the proposed sanctions will be kept “in reserve” to ensure Colombia’s compliance with the agreement.

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