Colombia narrowly avoided a costly trade conflict with the United States by striking a deal to accept deported migrants returned on U.S. military planes. The agreement followed a series of escalating threats from President Donald Trump, including the imposition of steep tariffs, which put the two nations on the edge of a trade war.
On Sunday evening, Colombian officials announced they had conceded to “all of President Trump’s terms,” which included the unconditional acceptance of deported individuals who had entered the U.S. illegally. The decision came after two U.S. military planes carrying deportees were denied entry into Colombia, triggering heightened tensions.
“We will continue to receive Colombians and Colombian women who return as deportees, guaranteeing them decent conditions as citizens subject to rights,” Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo said in a televised statement.
He further stated that U.S. deportation flights had resumed and that Colombia was preparing its presidential plane to assist with the repatriation of its citizens.
Tariffs Paused, Sanctions Still In Place
Meanwhile, the White House announced it would hold off on imposing tariffs, provided Colombia adheres to the agreement. However, additional measures, including visa restrictions and enhanced customs inspections for Colombian nationals and cargo ships, would remain in effect until the first plane carrying deported Colombians successfully landed.
“Today’s events make clear to the world that America is respected again. President Trump will continue to fiercely protect our nation’s sovereignty, and he expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States,” the White House said in a statement.
Tensions Rose Over Deportation Flights
The dispute escalated early Sunday when U.S. military flights carrying deportees were denied entry to Colombia. According to documents reviewed by CNN, Colombia had previously approved these flights, but President Gustavo Petro later contested the authorization, claiming he had not personally sanctioned them. U.S. officials, however, asserted that Colombia revoked the approval while the planes were en route.
In response, Petro blocked the flights from landing, accusing the U.S. of treating Colombian migrants as criminals. This prompted President Trump to unleash a series of retaliatory measures, including steep tariffs on Colombian imports, a travel ban for Colombian citizens, the revocation of visas for Colombian officials in the U.S., and the suspension of all visa processing for Colombians.
The visa restrictions, in particular, marked an extraordinary step. Typically reserved for adversarial nations or individuals implicated in human rights violations, these measures were imposed against Colombia—a major non-NATO ally and one of the United States’ closest partners in South America for decades.
