Illegal Immigration
Trump's tariff and sanction threats prompt Columbia to accept deportation of migrants unrestricted
Washington/IBNS: Columbia has agreed to accept the deportation of its nationals who had migrated to the United States soon after the White House threatened to impose tariffs and sanctions on Bogota, media reports said.
The United States has now suspended tariffs on Columbia after Bogota agreed to accept the deportation unrestricted.
US president Donald Trump had announced an imposition of 25 percent tariffs on all Columbian goods after Bogota blocked two military deportation flights.
Trump had ordered an "emergency 25 percent tariff" and visa sanctions after Colombian president Gustavo Petro blocked the military flights and also slammed the US for treating "Colombian migrants like criminals".
The US president said on Truth Social, "These measures are just the beginning. We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States!"
Petro had said the US should return the migrants with dignity.
In an X post, Petro had said, "Your blockade does not scare me, because Colombia, besides being the country of beauty, is the heart of the world. I know that you love beauty as I do, do not disrespect it and you will give it your sweetness.
"FROM TODAY ON, COLOMBIA IS OPEN TO THE ENTIRE WORLD, WITH OPEN ARMS, WE ARE BUILDERS OF FREEDOM, LIFE AND HUMANITY."
Petro had also retaliated with a counter 25 percent tariff on the US.
Late Sunday evening, the White House said the two countries have struck the deal and Columbia has agreed to take back its migrated nationals "including on US military aircraft, without limitation or delay".
US state secretary Marco Rubio said as quoted by CNN, "Colombian President Petro had authorized flights and provided all needed authorizations and then canceled his authorization when the planes were in the air.
"As demonstrated by today’s actions, we are unwavering in our commitment to end illegal immigration and bolster America’s border security."
Though the tariff has been suspended, the White House hasn't kept the visa sanctions on hold. The White House said the visa sanctions will remain operative until the first US military flight carrying Columbia migrants returns.
Trump, who returned to power with a massive mandate in November 5 last year elections, said he will take steps to secure the US borders.
He said in his inaugural address as the president, "All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came."
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