The U.S. and Colombia have reached an agreement to resolve a looming trade dispute, with Colombia agreeing to accept deported migrants on military flights. This development comes after a tense standoff in which U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened to impose tariffs and sanctions on Colombia due to its refusal to accept the deportations.
The White House issued a statement on January 16 confirming that Colombia had agreed to accept all deported migrants, including those returned on U.S. military aircraft. In return, the U.S. would hold off on implementing the punitive measures initially proposed.
"The government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay," the White House statement said.
Draft orders for tariffs and sanctions on Colombia, including a 25% tariff on all Colombian goods, will remain in reserve unless Colombia fails to honor the agreement.
This breakthrough ends a potential trade war between the two countries and is seen as a win for President Trump, who had previously threatened to ramp up border inspections and impose a travel ban on Colombian officials.
Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo confirmed the resolution, stating that the country had overcome the impasse. He also noted that Colombia’s presidential plane was prepared to facilitate the return of deported citizens.
While the statement did not confirm the inclusion of military flights, it did not contradict the U.S. announcement. Murillo and Colombia's ambassador to the U.S. will visit Washington soon to follow up on the agreement.
The U.S. had planned to impose several penalties on Colombia, including travel bans, visa revocations, and financial sanctions. These measures were aimed at pressuring Colombia to cooperate with the deportation process as part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown. Colombia is the third-largest U.S. trading partner in Latin America, and the two countries share a significant trade relationship, which includes a 2006 free trade agreement.
The resolution also comes amid broader concerns over the treatment of deported migrants. In a related incident, Brazil condemned the "degrading treatment" of Brazilian nationals deported on a U.S. charter flight, with reports of mistreatment during the flight. Brazil's government intervened, ensuring the removal of handcuffs on deported passengers, and the Brazilian Air Force completed their journey home.
On the U.S.-Mexico border, the rise in deportations has also been notable. Between September 2023 and September 2024, 572 individuals were deported to Uzbekistan, a sharp increase compared to previous years. The surge in deportations has been attributed to more frequent flight operations and a streamlined process. In total, over 50,000 Central Asian nationals, including Uzbeks, were apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2023.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)