By Abaire Bisola
The United States has abandoned its plan to impose 25% tariffs on Colombian goods after Colombia agreed to accept deported migrants on U.S. military flights without restrictions, the White House announced.
The tariff threat followed Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s initial refusal to allow U.S. military deportation flights to land, citing the need to ensure migrants were treated “with dignity and respect.”
Petro had proposed repatriating citizens on civilian planes instead.
In a joint resolution, Colombia has now agreed to accept deportees “without limitation or delay,” while maintaining dialogue to guarantee the dignity of its citizens.
The White House hailed the agreement as a win for President Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration policies, emphasizing that the tariffs remain ready to be implemented if Colombia fails to honor its commitments.
The diplomatic rift saw both leaders exchange threats on social media.
Trump announced potential tariffs and visa sanctions on Truth Social, while Petro responded on X with plans for counter-tariffs and a defense of Colombia’s heritage.
Colombia’s Foreign Minister, Luis Gilberto Murillo, confirmed that the country will continue receiving deportees under humane conditions and plans to send a delegation to Washington for high-level discussions.
This development comes amid Trump’s broader crackdown on immigration, including mass deportation plans and expanded powers for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
