Trump announces retaliatory measures after Colombia blocks military deportation flights from U.S.

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President Donald Trump stated Sunday that the U.S. will impose a sweeping set of retaliatory measures on Colombia, including tariffs and visa restrictions, following its decision to deny entry to two U.S. military deportation flights.

"These actions are just the start. We will not permit the Colombian Government to disregard its legal duties regarding the acceptance and return of the individuals they forcibly sent to the United States!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Representatives from the Department of Homeland Security and the Defense Department confirmed to NBC News that the flights were rejected.

The planes, flown on U.S. military C-17 aircraft, departed from California, transporting approximately 80 migrants each, a defense official told NBC News.

In retaliation, Trump announced on Truth Social a sweeping package of measures that includes tariffs on Colombian imports, visa restrictions on government officials and their associates, more intense customs checks, and financial penalties, as the U.S. accuses Colombia of failing to abide by its agreements to accept deported nationals.

Trump justified the measures by writing that President Gustavo Petro's denial of these flights has put the National Security and Public Safety of the United States at risk.

He said that the tariffs on goods imported from Colombia will initially be 25% and will increase to 50% in one week.

The retaliatory measures also include "A Travel Ban and immediate Visa Revocations on the Colombian Government Officials, and all those who support the government covertly," Trump wrote, as well as "Visa Sanctions on every Member of the Party, their family members, and any one who backs the Colombian government."

Colombia's foreign trade minister plans to increase tariffs on U.S. imports by 25% and to shift exports to "the whole world, excluding the U.S."

He stated that U.S.-made goods whose prices increase in the national economy should be replaced by products made domestically, an effort the government is supposed to support.

In 2022, the estimated value of US goods and services traded with Colombia was $53.5 billion, with exports outpacing imports by a small margin.

The top US imports from Colombia in recent years were oils and minerals, lime and cement, accounting for over 40% of imports, and agricultural products, which made up over 26% of imports.

Initial permission for the planes to land was granted, but after Petro withdrew all diplomatic clearance, the flights were forced to be grounded, according to the official.

Petro's office later stated that the flights were actually stopped because the government wanted to ensure that migrants returning to Colombia would be treated under "dignified conditions".

The Government of Colombia, under the leadership of President Gustavo Petro, has made arrangements for the presidential plane to ensure a dignified return to Colombia of its nationals who were due to arrive today in the morning, who were on deportation flights.

It added: "This measure responds to the government's commitment to ensure dignified living conditions. Colombians, as patriots and holders of rights, have never and will never be deported from Colombian territory."

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The recent arrival last week triggered frustrating deportation plans and heightened tensions. Despite a resolution, Mexican officials still expressed strong opposition to the US's one-sided actions regarding immigration policy.

In a statement on X, Petro denounced the use of military planes for deportation.

“He stated, 'A migrant is not a criminal and should be treated with the dignity that a human being deserves.' He added, 'We will welcome our nationals back on civilian planes, without treating them as criminals. Colombia must be respected.'"

The Brazilian government expressed its strong disapproval of the degrading manner in which its citizens were treated on a repatriation flight operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday. The government cited examples of inhumane treatment, such as the use of handcuffs and a malfunctioning air conditioning system.

On Friday, Guatemala accepted approximately 265 repatriated citizens on three flights from the United States, with two of them being military planes, according to Guatemala's Migration Institute.

The flights are part of the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration, initiated through executive orders during Trump's first week in office. Alongside deportation efforts, the administration has deployed an additional 1,500 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to boost enforcement measures.

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