US President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on all Colombian imports following President Gustavo Petro’s decision to block two US military planes carrying deported migrants from landing in Colombia.
The diplomatic standoff escalated on Sunday, January 26, 2025, when Petro, through his official X account, declared that Colombia would not permit the entry of planes transporting Colombian migrants deported from the US. Petro insisted that the US must establish a dignified protocol for handling migrants before Colombia would consider receiving deportees.
“The US cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals. I deny the entry of American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory,” Petro posted, sparking immediate tension between the two countries.
Trump, responding on his Truth Social account, labeled Petro’s decision a violation of international obligations and announced emergency tariffs on Colombian goods, effective immediately. The president warned that the tariff rate would double to 50% within a week if the Colombian government did not reverse its stance.
Additionally, Trump revealed a series of retaliatory measures, including visa bans and immediate revocations targeting Colombian government officials, sanctions on their supporters, and enhanced customs inspections on Colombian nationals and cargo entering the US. The measures are aimed at pressuring Petro’s administration to comply with US deportation protocols.
US officials confirmed that the blocked planes, originating from San Diego, were scheduled to land in Colombia carrying deportees. However, the mission was abandoned after Petro’s directive. This marks a significant test of Trump’s immigration policies, which have been a cornerstone of his presidency since signing multiple executive orders on his first day in office to expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Trump’s move to implement steep tariffs highlights the growing friction over migration issues. During his campaign, he pledged to prioritize mass deportations and hold foreign governments accountable for receiving their citizens. Critics, however, argue that the sanctions risk straining US-Colombian trade ties, valued at over $15 billion annually, and could disrupt imports of coffee, flowers, and other goods.
This unfolding dispute has already sparked debate in political circles, with analysts questioning the long-term impact of Trump’s hardline stance on US-Latin American relations.
