First Colombia turned away US military planes carrying migrants, then President Donald Trump threatened Bogotá with steep tariffs before the two countries reached a deal.
It’s hard to believe that this came out in just one Sunday. But yesterday, Colombia stepped back from the brink of a damaging trade war with the United States.
Here’s how it turned out:
• The flights are back.: Colombian President Gustavo Petro stopped US military flights carrying deportees to Colombia on Sunday morning. Documents reviewed by CNN show that Colombia had previously approved the flights, although Petro disputed that it had authorized them. Petro stopped the planes from landing, accusing the US of treating Colombian immigrants like criminals.
• Trump’s threats: After the flights were blocked, Trump imposed heavy tariffs on all Colombian imports, a travel ban for Colombian citizens, the cancellation of visas for Colombian officials in the United States, and the suspension of visa processing for both immigrants and nonimmigrants. Ordered to do.
• Colombia’s response: In response, Petro threatened the U.S. with retaliatory tariffs and attacked Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on social media, writing: “You never see me burning the American flag or handcuffing illegal immigrants to America.” Won’t see you raiding for a comeback.”
• Agreement reached: By Sunday evening, the White House announced that the two countries had reached an agreement.
