Colombia on Sunday made a U-turn on its citizens who were deported from the United States, after initially refusing to accept flights, as Donald Trump retaliated with sanctions.
The refusal prompted the Donald Trump administration to impose tariffs and other retaliatory measures on Colombia. Since Trump took charge of the White House last Monday, deportation flights from the United States have been making headlines.
In light of Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has arranged for a presidential plane to facilitate the “dignified return” of Colombians who have been deported from the country, the office of the president said in a statement on Sunday. was expelled.
“The Government of Colombia, at the direction of President Gustavo Petro, has facilitated the dignified return of fellow citizens who were due to arrive in the country via deportation flights this morning by presidential plane. This move is in response to the Government’s commitment to guarantees. Grants that no patriots and rights holders shall be expelled from the territory of Colombia.
The Colombian government has also created a ‘dedicated team’ that will ensure the “dignified treatment” of deported Colombians.
“In addition, the government has convened a Unified Command Post (PMU) on migration, which will include representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Public Office, the Chancellor’s Office, and the Presidency of the Republic. The purpose of this body is to establish protocols and review that ensures the dignified treatment of deported Colombians, guaranteeing that the process respects the human rights and integrity of each individual,” the statement added.
The Colombian government assured to stay in touch with the United States, and added that it would seek agreements to ensure a minimum of dignity for the deportees.
“Similarly, the Government of Colombia maintains active dialogue with the Government of the United States, seeking agreements that ensure minimum conditions of respect and dignified treatment for fellow citizens during the deportation process. , recognize them as holders of rights.”
Colombia is committed to protecting its citizens and will continue to lead regional and international efforts to find humane and just solutions to migration challenges, the statement said.
Donald Trump’s Tariff Actions After Colombia’s Initial Denial
Colombia’s U-turn comes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent retaliatory “emergency tariff” on Colombia on Sunday, in response to President Gustavo Pietro’s suspension of U.S. military deportation flights. .
The standoff began after Colombia announced it was grounding two U.S. military flights to the country carrying migrants and called on the U.S. to establish better protocols in its treatment of migrants.
In a series of social media posts, Donald Trump and Gustavo Pietro defended their views on immigration, with the latter accusing Trump of not treating immigrants with dignity during deportations and on American goods. Colombia counter-announces a 25 percent increase in taxes.
After Petro turned down two U.S. military planes carrying migrants to Colombia, Trump lashed out and announced a series of sanctions and policies targeting Colombia.
In addition to tariffs on all imports from the country, the Trump administration also announced a “travel ban” for Colombian citizens and the cancellation of visas for “all allies and supporters” as well as Colombian officials in the United States.
Petro also asserted that the United States could not treat Colombian migrants like criminals and refused to accept US planes carrying migrants.
Following Trump’s announcement, Petro said in a post on X that he had “ordered the Secretary of Foreign Trade to increase import tariffs from the United States by 25 percent.”
(with ANI input)
