Penalties for Colombia for rejected migrant flights

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he is imposing tariffs, visa restrictions, and other retaliatory measures against Colombia after its government rejected two deportation flights carrying migrants from the United States.

“National Security at Risk,” Says Trump

Trump stated that Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s decision “jeopardized” U.S. national security. “These measures are just the beginning,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations regarding the acceptance and return of the criminals they forced into the United States.”

Petro Demands Dignity for Migrants

Earlier that day, Petro announced that his government would no longer accept deportation flights from the U.S. unless proper protocols ensuring “dignity” for migrants are established. Petro shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing migrants reportedly deported to Brazil, restrained with handcuffs and ankle chains on an airport tarmac.

“A migrant is not a criminal and must be treated with the dignity that a human being deserves,” Petro declared. “That is why I sent back U.S. military planes carrying Colombian migrants.”

Colombia’s History of Cooperation

From 2020 to 2024, Colombia accepted 475 deportation flights from the U.S., according to the advocacy group Witness at the Border. In 2024 alone, the country accepted 124 flights, ranking fifth behind Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and El Salvador. Last year, Colombia also began receiving U.S.-funded deportation flights originating from Panama.

Trump’s Escalation of Measures

As part of his campaign to combat illegal immigration, Trump has relied on active-duty military to secure the border and enforce deportations. On Friday, two Air Force C-17 cargo planes carrying migrants landed in Guatemala, while Honduras received two deportation flights the same day, carrying a total of 193 individuals.

In a bold move, Trump announced “urgent and decisive retaliatory measures,” including 25% tariffs on all Colombian imports, set to increase to 50% within a week. He also ordered travel bans and visa revocations targeting Colombian government officials, allies, and supporters.

“All Party Members, Family Members, and Supporters of the Colombian Government will be subject to Visa Sanctions,” Trump declared, without clarifying which party he referred to or providing details on the restrictions.

Trump further stated that all Colombians traveling to the U.S. would face enhanced customs inspections, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the two nations.