By Katherine Tinsley
10:21am PST, Jan 27, 2025
In a Truth Social post, Trump announced that he would place a 25 percent tariff on Colombian imports and a travel ban if the country didn't accept its citizens.
"I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia," Trump wrote on Sunday, January 26.
"This order was given by Colombia's Socialist President Gustavo Petro, who is already very unpopular amongst his people," Trump continued. "Petro's denial of these flights has jeopardized the National Security and Public Safety of the United States."
Initially, Petro alluded to the exiled parties being displaced, as they were no longer allowed to live in the U.S.
"I cannot make migrants stay in a country that does not want them, but if that country sends them back, it should be with dignity and respect for them and for our country," Petro said in a statement. "A migrant is not a criminal."
However, hours after Trump threatened to take action against Colombia, it was announced the two nations had come to an agreement.
"The Government of Colombia, under the direction of President Gustavo Petro, has arranged the presidential plane to facilitate the dignified return of the compatriots who were going to arrive in the country today in the morning, coming from deportation flights," the Colombian government said in a statement. "This measure responds to the Government's commitment to guarantee decent conditions."
