White House secures victory as Colombia agrees to take deported migrants after Trump tariff threat

By: Shawn
The White House said late Sunday that the Colombian government has agreed to accept deportation flights of migrants from the nation, hours after President Donald Trump threatened tariffs and visa restrictions.

'Colombia's President Gustavo Petro.'
Fernando Vergara/AP

According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, migrants would be returned to Colombia aboard military planes "without limitation or delay."

The White House's late-night assertion of triumph culminates a chaotic day of threats exchanged between the two countries' leaders on social media. The standoff, which occurred less than a week into Trump's second term, foreshadowed one of the biggest hurdles he would have in carrying out his vast immigration program, as he attempts to boost the number of deportations.

The White House said the emergency tariffs and sanctions Trump promised earlier in the day had been completely crafted and would be held — but not signed — if Colombia did not honor the agreement. The visa sanctions imposed by the State Department, as well as heightened Customs and Border Protection inspections, will stay in effect until the first plane carrying Colombian migrants returns.

"Today's events demonstrate to the world that America is once again respected. President Trump will continue to forcefully safeguard our country's sovereignty, and he expects all other nations to completely assist in accepting the expulsion of their individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States," Leavitt said.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro published the press secretary's statement on X.

The conflict began when Petro turned away two US military aircraft carrying arrested Colombian migrants, demanding for a "dignified return" of deportees who were not "handcuffed and on military craft." Trump soon replied with a post on X, announcing an emergency 25% tax on all Colombian imports, visa restrictions, a travel ban, increased border patrol inspections, and financial consequences. NA

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