In a dramatic reversal within hours of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats, Colombia agreed to all U.S. terms regarding the deportation of Colombian migrants, according to a White House statement on Sunday.
The agreement follows Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on Colombian goods—set to escalate to 50% in a week—after Colombia initially refused to permit U.S. military flights carrying deported migrants to land.
Under the deal, Colombia has agreed to accept all deported individuals from the United States without restrictions or delays, including those transported via U.S. military aircraft.
“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,” the White House Press Secretary stated.
In response to the agreement, the White House announced that the previously drafted sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) would be suspended unless Colombia fails to honor its commitments.
However, visa sanctions on Colombian government officials and their supporters remain in effect until the first group of deportees arrives in Colombia. Enhanced inspections by U.S. Customs and Border Protection of Colombian nationals and cargo will also continue.
“The visa sanctions issued by the State Department, and enhanced inspections from Customs and Border Protection, will remain in effect until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned,” the White House clarified.
Before the agreement, Colombian President Gustavo Petro had taken a defiant stance, announcing reciprocal tariffs of 25% on U.S. goods and refusing entry to U.S. planes carrying deportees.
In a strongly worded post on social media platform X, Petro declared, “The United States cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals. I forbid entry to our territory to U.S. planes carrying Colombian migrants. You will never dominate us.”
Petro’s government had instructed the Colombian Ministry of External Trade to implement the tariffs in response to Trump’s threats, leading to a brief but intense trade standoff between the two nations.
The White House hailed the Colombian U-turn as a victory for the United States.
“This makes it clear that America is respected again. President Trump will continue to fiercely protect our nation’s sovereignty and expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States,” the statement said.
Historically close allies, the U.S. and Colombia have shared a free-trade agreement for years. However, the deportation dispute strained relations, marking a rare confrontation between the two countries.
