On January 26, 2025, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the refusal of two U.S. military flights carrying undocumented migrants, stating that the treatment of these individuals did not align with the principles of dignity and respect.
In reaction, former President Donald Trump declared an emergency 25% tariff on all Colombian imports, set to increase to 50% within a week. He also issued travel bans and visa revocations targeting Colombian officials and their supporters.
This incident marks a significant escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Colombia regarding immigration policy. Trump criticized Petro's decision as a threat to U.S. national security, emphasizing that such actions would not be tolerated.
Colombia's stance follows similar actions by Mexico, which recently denied a U.S. military flight permission to land with migrants. Brazilian authorities have also expressed concerns over the treatment of their nationals during deportation processes.
As the situation unfolds, it highlights a growing divide in how Latin American countries are responding to U.S. immigration enforcement practices, with Colombia taking a firm stand against perceived mistreatment of migrants.