Colombia has announced that it will cover the costs of deporting its citizens from the United States after a dispute between Colombian President Gustavo Petro and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The decision comes after tensions escalated over how Colombian migrants were being returned to their country.
The issue began when Trump threatened trade tariffs of up to 50% after Petro refused to allow U.S. military planes to return Colombian migrants. In response, the U.S. embassy in Bogotá temporarily stopped issuing visas from Monday to Friday.
Petro criticized the U.S. for treating deported Colombians harshly, saying they were placed in shackles and handcuffs. He insisted that his government would not allow citizens to be returned under such conditions.
In an effort to ease tensions, Colombia’s foreign ministry proposed to Mauricio Claver-Carone, Trump’s special envoy for Latin America, that Colombia would take full responsibility for its citizens’ deportation. The government agreed to cover transportation costs, ensuring that deported migrants would return home with dignity.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Colombian military and civilian planes repatriated the first groups of deported migrants. Petro stated that none of the individuals were confirmed criminals and that their return was handled in a respectful manner.
Colombia is preparing for the return of about 27,000 migrants whose deportation orders have been signed in the past six months by both the Trump and Biden administrations. Meanwhile, Trump has promised to carry out one of the largest deportation operations in U.S. history, targeting millions of undocumented immigrants, many from Latin American countries.
The United States is Colombia’s largest trading partner and has provided significant financial aid over the years to combat drug trafficking and terrorism. While this recent conflict has created diplomatic tensions, Colombia’s decision to take charge of deportation costs could help maintain strong relations between the two nations.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Colombia and the U.S. will navigate future immigration policies and diplomatic ties.
