Mon Jan 27 10:44:39 IST 2025: ## Trump Forces Colombia to Accept Deportations After Tariff Threat

**Bogota/Washington D.C.** – In a dramatic escalation of tensions, President Donald Trump forced Colombia to accept the return of deported citizens on US military aircraft after threatening crippling tariffs. Colombian President Gustavo Petro initially refused, stating that deportees should be returned with “dignity” on civilian flights, rejecting two US military planes carrying repatriated Colombians.

Trump, in response, threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on Colombian goods, rapidly escalating to 50 percent – a significant blow to Latin America’s fourth-largest economy. While Petro initially retaliated with threats of his own tariffs on US products, he ultimately backed down Sunday night.

Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo announced that Colombia would accept the returned citizens, ending the impasse. A White House statement confirmed the agreement, stating Colombia will accept all deported citizens without limitation or delay, including those transported on US military aircraft. The statement added that America is “respected again” and that Trump would continue to fiercely protect US sovereignty. The threatened tariffs were subsequently suspended.

The swift turnaround followed further punitive measures from the Trump administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suspended the issuance of US visas at the Bogota embassy, and threatened to revoke visas for Colombian government officials and their families. Trump also vowed increased scrutiny for Colombians at US airports.

Petro’s initial resistance sparked outrage among his critics in Colombia, with former President Ivan Duque accusing him of irresponsibility. The incident also highlighted concerns regarding the treatment of deportees. Brazil, for instance, condemned the handcuffing and harsh conditions experienced by Brazilian migrants deported on a US military flight last week. One deportee, Edgar Da Silva Moura, described the flight as inhumane, reporting lack of water, restraints, and several passengers fainting due to the heat.

In light of these developments, Honduran President Xiomara Castro has called for an urgent meeting of CELAC leaders to discuss the implications of the US’s increasingly aggressive deportation policies. While deportations are routine, the Trump administration’s use of military aircraft and its strong-arm tactics have raised significant concerns among Latin American nations.

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