- Sputnik International, 1920
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

What is Known About the US-Colombia Showdown Over Migrants & Tariffs?

© Photo : US Dept. of DefenseScreenshot of image showing U.S. Customs and Border Protection security agents guide a group of migrants to board a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing for a removal flight at Fort Bliss, Texas, on Jan. 23, 2025.
Screenshot of image showing U.S. Customs and Border Protection security agents guide a group of migrants to board a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing for a removal flight at Fort Bliss, Texas, on Jan. 23, 2025.  - Sputnik International, 1920, 27.01.2025
Subscribe
In his first speech as the 47th US president, Donald Trump promised to immediately stop illegal immigration and begin the process of extraditing millions of migrants. However, the US and Colombia clashed on Sunday over the deportation of illegals.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro blocked two US planes carrying illegal migrants from landing in Bogota, accusing Donald Trump of not treating the handcuffed deportees with dignity.
“I cannot allow migrants to remain in a country that does not want them; but if that country sends them back, it must be with dignity and respect for them and for our country,” he said in a post on X that included news footage showing deportees in Brazil at an airport with their hands and feet restrained.
© Photo : petrogustavoScreenshot of X post by Colombia's President President Gustavo Petro.
Screenshot of X post by Colombia's President President Gustavo Petro. - Sputnik International, 1920, 27.01.2025
Screenshot of X post by Colombia's President President Gustavo Petro.
In response, Trump announced that he was slapping 25% “emergency” tariffs on all Colombian imports, which would be raised to 50% in a week.
The US president added that he would also impose a “travel ban and visa sanctions” on government officials, and enhance border inspections of all Colombian nationals and cargo. Petro swiftly announced retaliatory tariffs of up to 50%.
“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth 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.”
Petro’s government later announced that presidential aircraft had been made available to return the migrants and guarantee them “dignified conditions.”
The White House announced late on Sunday that Colombia had finally agreed to all of President Trump’s terms.
“The Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. “Based on this agreement, the fully drafted IEEPA tariffs and sanctions will be held in reserve, and not signed, unless Colombia fails to honor this agreement.”
Trump’s government is using the military to help secure the border and carry out deportations to make good on his campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration.
Hundreds of people with posters and flags gathered to protest against the new immigration policies in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Protests lasted for several hours near the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, local media reported.
A member of the Texas National Guard looks on as he monitors the Rio Grande river for migrants at the US-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas on September 23, 2023 - Sputnik International, 1920, 27.01.2025
Americas
Trump Administration Drafting Agreement With El Salvador to Deport Migrants - Reports
Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала