Sign in

Trump puts 50% tariffs, travel ban, Visa revocations, sanctions, on Colombia for refusing to accept deportation flights

President Donald Trump has taken decisive action against Colombia after its government blocked two U.S. deportation flights carrying illegal immigrants from landing in the country.

The deportation flights, reportedly carrying approximately 160 individuals classified as criminal aliens, were turned away by Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Petro, a former Marxist guerrilla and outspoken critic of Trump, confirmed the decision in a post on the X platform.

The flights, conducted using U.S. military aircraft, were part of the Trump administration’s initiative to remove illegal immigrants, particularly those with criminal records, from the United States. The blocked flights have heightened tensions between the two nations and prompted President Trump to announce immediate retaliatory measures.

“I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of illegal criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia,” Trump said in a statement. “This order was given by Colombia’s Socialist President Gustavo Petro, who is already very unpopular amongst his people. Petro’s denial of these flights has jeopardized the national security and public safety of the United States.”

In response, President Trump unveiled a series of strict measures aimed at Colombia:

  1. Emergency Tariffs: A 25% tariff will be imposed on all Colombian goods entering the U.S., increasing to 50% within a week.
  2. Travel and Visa Restrictions: Colombian government officials, their allies, and supporters will face immediate visa revocations and a travel ban.
  3. Visa Sanctions: Members, family members, and supporters of Colombia’s ruling party will be subject to visa restrictions.
  4. Enhanced Inspections: All Colombian nationals and cargo entering the U.S. will undergo heightened Customs and Border Protection inspections for national security reasons.
  5. Financial Sanctions: The U.S. Treasury will enforce strict sanctions on Colombian banking and financial systems under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump stated on Truth Social. “We will not allow the Colombian government to violate its legal obligations regarding the acceptance and return of the criminals they forced into the United States.”

President Trump’s actions mark a significant escalation in diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Colombia. The move underscores his administration’s hardline stance on immigration and border security, as well as his willingness to leverage economic and political tools to pressure foreign governments into compliance.

Critics of Petro argue that his decision to block the flights prioritizes political posturing over international cooperation. Supporters of Trump’s response view the measures as necessary to protect U.S. national security and enforce accountability.