In an about-face, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has backed away from refusing deportation flights from the United States following pressure from President Donald Trump.
Over the weekend, news broke that Colombia had refused to allow two American planes carrying Colombian illegal aliens to land in the country. Left-leaning President Petro said the flights were rejected due to the U.S. treating the illegal aliens as “criminals,” per Fox News.
“I deny the entry of American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory,” Petro said. “The United States must establish a protocol for the dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them.”
In response, President Trump announced a series of retaliatory measures, including 25% tariffs on all imports from Colombia, with the rate rising to 50%, and immediate travel bans and visa revocations for Colombian government officials, among others.
“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!” President Trump wrote on Truth Social on January 26.
The Colombian President hit back, saying his country will respond in kind.
“I am informed that you impose a 50% tariff on the fruits of our human labor to enter the United States, and I do the same,” Petro posted on X, per Newsweek.
Despite the Colombian President’s rhetoric, he quickly backtracked, seemingly caving to Trump’s demands, including the unrestricted acceptance of unlawful migrants originating from Colombia. Gustavo even offered to allow illegal aliens to be brought back to Colombia using his presidential plane.
“Today’s events make clear to the world that America is respected again. President Trump will continue to fiercely protect our nation’s sovereignty, and he expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States,” read a White House statement, per Fox News.