In a sudden reversal, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Sunday that his government would accept flights carrying deported Colombian nationals from the United States. The decision comes after Colombia had earlier blocked two US military aircraft transporting deportees from landing, drawing the ire of US President Donald Trump.
Trump swiftly responded to Colombia’s initial refusal by enacting emergency tariffs and threatening further retaliatory measures. In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US leader accused Petro of jeopardizing American security and directed his administration to double tariffs on Colombian exports to 50%, ban and revoke visas for Colombian officials, and ramp up inspections of Colombian cargo entering the US.
Colombia Acquiesces Amid Mounting Pressure
Faced with the prospect of severe economic consequences, Petro capitulated. In a statement, he said a presidential plane would be dispatched to facilitate the “dignified return” of the Colombian deportees who were originally scheduled to arrive Sunday morning.
“This measure is in response to the government’s commitment to guarantee dignified conditions. In no way have Colombians, as patriots and subjects of rights, been or will be banished from Colombian territory,”
– Statement from Colombian government
However, it remains unclear if Colombia’s concession applies only to the two diverted flights, which were carrying around 80 detainees, or if Petro will continue accepting future US deportation flights. Mexico had also reportedly refused to receive a similar flight on Saturday.
Petro’s Initial Defiance
Prior to relenting, the leftist Colombian leader had taken a strong stance against the US deportations. In a Twitter post, Petro declared that migrants must be treated with dignity and respect, sharing a video purportedly showing Brazilian deportees shackled on a US flight.
“A migrant is not a criminal and must be treated with the dignity that every human being deserves.”
– Gustavo Petro, via Twitter
Petro insisted that if deported, Colombians must be returned on civilian planes without being treated as criminals. He asserted that while he could not force migrants to remain in a country that does not want them, any returns must uphold their dignity and Colombia’s honor.
Regional Discontent Over US Deportations
The incident marks the latest flare-up in growing regional opposition to US deportation policies under the week-old Trump administration. On Friday, a flight carrying 88 deported Brazilians sparked a diplomatic clash with President Lula da Silva’s government over the alleged mistreatment of detainees.
Brazil lodged a formal complaint over the “degrading treatment” of deportees, including children, who were reportedly shackled on the journey. The Brazilian Air Force intervened to complete the final leg of the trip without restraints after the flight made unscheduled stops due to technical issues.
Accelerated Deportations Under Trump
An internal Department of Homeland Security memo reveals the Trump administration is pursuing aggressive measures to expedite deportations, granting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) broad authority to fast-track removals.
As the US ramps up its deportation apparatus, tensions with Latin American nations are likely to escalate further. For now, Colombia’s acceptance of the blocked flights offers a temporary reprieve. But the fundamental dispute over the treatment of deportees and the pace of removals under Trump remains unresolved.
