President Gustavo Petro of Colombia agrees to accept deported migrants under President Donald Trump's terms, tariff suspension

President Gustavo Petro of Colombia agrees to accept deported migrants under President Donald Trump's terms, tariff suspension

Bogotá, Colombia — On Sunday, following a threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a 25% tariff and other sanctions on Colombia, the White House claimed that Colombia had agreed to accept deported migrants from the U.S. under Trump's conditions.

The U.S. and Colombia, long-time partners in anti-narcotics efforts, clashed over deportations and the imposition of tariffs on each other’s goods, in what is seen as a warning to other countries.

Earlier, Trump had instructed the Colombian government to come to an agreement, threatening a 25% tariff on Colombian goods, which would rise to 50% within a week. Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro had sent back two U.S. military planes carrying migrants to Colombia, accusing Trump of degrading the dignity of immigrants during deportation.

Trump described Petro's actions as "a threat to national security," and announced on social media, "These measures are just the beginning. 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."

Late Sunday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that "The Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay." She also said, "The tariff orders will remain on hold, but Trump will continue visa restrictions and enhanced customs inspections of goods from Colombia until the first group of Colombian deportees is successfully returned."

The Colombian government later announced that "the impasse has been overcome" and Petro reposted the White House statement on social media.

Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo said, "We have overcome the impasse with the United States government, and we will continue to receive Colombians who return as deportees, guaranteeing them decent conditions as citizens subject to rights."

This event sends a message to other countries that if they intervene in the fight against illegal immigration, they may face tariffs and other restrictions.