WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump slapped Colombia with sanctions and imposed 25% tariffs which will be increased to 50 percent in the coming days.
His announcement comes after the Colombian president blocked two US military planes carrying deported migrants from landing in Colombia.
President Trump said the tariffs would be imposed immediately on “all goods” coming to the US from Colombia and would increase the 25% tariff to 50% within a week.
In response, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced a 25% tariff on US imports. He refused to accept deported Colombian citizens on military flights.
He said he would welcome his fellow citizens sent on civilian flights without criminal treatment. Thier return must be uphold dignity and respect.’
Petro offered to use his presidential plane for “dignified repatriation” and condemned the use of military planes, calling it a violation of migrants’ rights.
US officials told the BBC’s US partner, CBS News, that two military planes from San Diego were due to arrive in Colombia on Sunday carrying the migrants, but the plan was cancelled due to complications.
Trump retaliated with sweeping measures. He took to Truth Social and announced a travel ban and immediate visa revocations for Colombian government officials, allies, and supporters.
President Trump also said that there would be visa restrictions on supporters of the Colombian government and that Customs and Border Protection inspections of all Colombian citizens and cargo would be increased on national security grounds.
“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump declared on Truth Social. He accused Colombia of violating its legal obligations to accept deported criminals.
Petro, responding on X, stood firm against the sanctions. “Colombia is a nation of beauty and courage. Your blockade does not scare me,” he wrote.
The Colombian president also offered his presidential plane to facilitate the “dignified repatriation” of Colombian citizens deported from the US.
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He also highlighted that over 15,000 Americans are in Colombia illegally, adding he would never conduct raids to repatriate them, unlike the Trump administration.
Colombia is a major exporter of coffee, bananas, crude oil, avocados, and flowers to the US. Tariffs could raise prices for American consumers and force importers to find alternative sources.
The sanctions and diplomatic fallout mark an escalation beyond trade, sparking a heated war of words between the two nations.
