President Trump on Sunday pledged swift and severe retaliation after the Colombian government blocked U.S. deportation flights over the weekend, objecting to the Trump administration’s use of military planes to carry out migrant deportations.
In a social media post, Mr. Trump announced several punitive measures against Colombia, including a 25% tariff on all Colombian imports to the U.S., set to increase to 50% after one week if the dispute remains unresolved.
Additionally, Trump revealed plans for a travel ban and “immediate visa revocation” targeting Colombian government officials and their associates. The measures also include visa sanctions for Colombian authorities and their families, as well as heightened customs inspections for travelers and cargo arriving from Colombia.
Here is his statement from TruthSocial in full:
“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. 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, so I have directed my Administration to immediately take the following urgent and decisive retaliatory measures:-Emergency 25% tariffs on all goods coming into the United States. In one week, the 25% tariffs will be raised to 50%.-A Travel Ban and immediate Visa Revocations on the Colombian Government Officials, and all Allies and Supporters.-Visa Sanctions on all Party Members, Family Members, and Supporters of the Colombian Government.-Enhanced Customs and Border Protection Inspections of all Colombian Nationals and Cargo on national security grounds.-IEEPA Treasury, Banking and Financial Sanctions to be fully imposed.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!”
CBS has more:
Two U.S. officials told CBS News there were two Department of Defense planes with migrant deportees expected to land in Colombia on Sunday, after departing the San Diego area near the southern border. But those plans were scrapped overnight.One of the U.S. officials said the plan was to deport roughly 80 Colombian migrants on each military plane.“Colombia’s decision to block the U.S. deportation flights over the weekend is an early diplomatic setback for the Trump administration as it lays the foundation for its promised mass deportation campaign and crackdown on illegal immigration.”
X was swift to react with Governor Ron DeSantis and White House Press Secretary Karoline Levaitt calling out leaders in a warning:
These decisive actions show that Trump is prepared to escalate the standoff, making it clear that any resistance to his administration’s immigration policies will come at a significant cost. It is a stark change from Biden’s weak White House. The ball is now in Colombia’s court, as the president seems intent on following through with his promised penalties unless the situation changes swiftly. Stay tuned, because it looks like coffee prices are about to rise.
UPDATE 3:05 P.M. EST
Trump and newly-nominated, Secretary of State Marco Rubio are in lock-step on this one, with sanctions already being written up according to administration sources.
Update: 3:30 P.M. EST
After all the bluster, Colombian President Gustavo Petro is backing down from his refusal to take back the deportation flights. According to a new letter he wants a “more dignified return” and is offering his presidential plane.
UPDATE 5:57 PM EST
Colombian President Gustavo Petro is now threatening to raise tariffs on the U.S. by 25% according to an English translation of an X post:
Stay tuned as this seems to be nowhere never over.
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