Ciudad Juarez, Mexico December 19, 2024. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez
Trump Threatens Colombia with Tariffs, Sanctions Over Deportation Dispute
U.S. President Donald Trump announced retaliatory measures against Colombia on Sunday after its government refused to allow U.S. military aircraft carrying deported migrants to land. Trump’s response includes tariffs, sanctions, travel bans, and other punitive actions, escalating tensions in Latin America as his administration ramps up its immigration crackdown.
Planned Retaliatory Actions
Trump accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of jeopardizing U.S. national security by rejecting the deportation flights. Measures announced by the Trump administration include:
- Emergency Tariffs: A 25% tariff on all Colombian imports to the U.S., set to increase to 50% within a week.
- Sanctions: Full implementation of emergency Treasury, banking, and financial sanctions targeting Colombia.
- Travel Restrictions: A travel ban and visa revocations targeting Colombian officials and their allies.
- Enhanced Border Inspections: Stricter inspections for Colombian nationals entering the United States.
“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump posted on 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!”
Colombian Response
President Gustavo Petro criticized the deportation policy, stating that it treats migrants as criminals. In a post on social media platform X, Petro emphasized that Colombia would only accept its citizens’ return on civilian flights, ensuring they are treated with dignity. He also pointed out that 15,660 U.S. citizens are living in Colombia without proper immigration status.
“The U.S. cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals,” Petro wrote, urging respect for international norms and human rights.
Regional Fallout
Colombia’s refusal mirrors a similar stance taken by Mexico, which last week denied a U.S. military aircraft permission to land with deported migrants. Brazil has also expressed discontent.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the “degrading treatment” of deported Brazilians after a U.S. charter flight carried 88 undocumented migrants to Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Upon arrival, Brazilian officials ordered the removal of handcuffs used on passengers during the flight. A Brazilian Air Force aircraft was dispatched to transport the migrants to their final destinations.
“The degrading treatment of our citizens is unacceptable,” Brazil’s foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that this was the first deportation flight from the U.S. to Brazil since Trump’s inauguration.
Use of Military Aircraft for Deportations
The use of U.S. military planes to deport migrants marks a significant escalation in Trump’s immigration policy. The Pentagon is executing this approach under Trump’s national emergency declaration on immigration. Two similar flights to Guatemala occurred last Friday, each carrying about 80 deported migrants.
This marks the first time in recent history that U.S. military aircraft have been used to deport civilians, according to a U.S. official familiar with the operations.
Growing Tensions with Latin America
Trump’s immigration policies have faced growing criticism across Latin America, with leaders decrying the treatment of deported migrants. Observers warn that such measures could strain diplomatic relationships and complicate cooperation on broader regional issues.
U.S. officials, including representatives from the State Department, Pentagon, and Department of Homeland Security, declined to comment on the situation. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has signaled its intent to continue using military resources to enforce its immigration agenda.
As tensions rise, it remains unclear whether Trump’s measures will achieve their intended goals or further exacerbate diplomatic friction with key allies in the region.
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