President Donald Trump isn’t pulling any punches after Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s decision to block U.S. deportation flights. On Sunday, Trump announced retaliatory measures, including tariffs and visa restrictions, in response to Petro rejecting two flights carrying Colombian migrants.
Trump made it clear he’s had enough, stating Petro’s actions “jeopardized” U.S. national security.
“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump declared on Truth Social. “We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States.”
Petro fired the first shot earlier on Sunday, vowing not to accept deported Colombians unless the U.S. creates a protocol that treats migrants with what he calls “dignity.” He backed his position by sharing a video showing deported migrants in Brazil, restrained with handcuffs and leg irons as they walked across a tarmac. Petro insisted, “A migrant is not a criminal and must be treated with the dignity that a human being deserves.”
Not stopping there, Petro said he’d only allow the return of Colombian migrants on “civilian airplanes” and without what he described as criminal treatment. It’s a curious stance, critics note, considering Colombia’s own struggles with illegal migration and its dependence on U.S. support.
This spat comes as Trump doubles down on his campaign promise to crack down on illegal immigration. His administration isn’t just deporting migrants—it’s doing so with military precision. In recent days, U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo planes transported migrants to Guatemala, while Honduras received nearly 200 deportees on separate flights. Trump’s actions are setting a clear precedent: the U.S. will use every tool at its disposal to enforce immigration laws.
Petro’s refusal to cooperate puts Colombia squarely at odds with this tough but necessary policy. By blocking deportation flights, Petro risks more than strained relations with Washington. His decision could lead to economic consequences for Colombia, a country that relies heavily on U.S. trade and assistance.
Trump’s critics might cry foul, but his supporters see this as another example of his America-first leadership. Petro’s grandstanding about dignity may sound nice, but it ignores the bigger picture: these deportations are about national security and restoring order at the border. Petro’s refusal to accept his own country’s migrants is hypocritical, especially when Colombia has long benefited from U.S. generosity.
Trump’s decision to hit back with tariffs and visa restrictions sends a clear message: there are consequences for flouting agreements and jeopardizing U.S. interests. As Trump continues to enforce his immigration agenda, Petro’s obstructionist tactics will likely only further isolate Colombia on the global stage. In the end, this isn’t just about deportation flights—it’s about standing firm against leaders who put politics above responsibility.
