Trump stated on the social media platform Truth Social that Colombia “did not accept two planes with many illegal and criminal immigrants” and that this situation threatened his country’s national security.
He announced that he had taken the following sanctions and customs tax decision against Colombia:
Immediate 25 percent tariff on all goods coming to the USA
Travel ban and visa revocation of Colombian government officials and all their allies and supporters
- Colombian government imposes visa sanctions on all party officials, family members and supporters
STEP BACK FROM COLOMBIA
However, the White House said in a statement late Sunday that Colombia had accepted the return of the migrants and that Washington would not impose these sanctions.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated that they turned away planes coming from the USA, criticized the USA and stated that deportations should be carried out under humane conditions.
Petro stated that immigrants should not be treated as criminals and that they should be returned on civilian planes in a manner befitting human dignity.
In his statement, the Colombian leader stated that what he particularly opposed was the use of military aircraft and emphasized the necessity of respecting both Colombia and immigrants.
According to the Reuters news agency, approximately 80 immigrants were transported on two different planes.
“I WILL NOT SEND ANY AMERICAN WITH HANDCUFFS”
Stating that 15,660 Americans live illegally in Colombia, Colombian leader Petro said, “You will never see me burning a foreign flag or sending illegal immigrants to the USA in handcuffs. True libertarians never attack human freedoms. We are the opposite of the Nazis.” ” he said.
Speaking to US television CBS, two American officials stated that two planes taking off from San Diego and carrying illegal immigrants were expected to land in Colombia today, but this was canceled due to some developments.
Brazil had also previously expressed concern about the treatment some of its citizens received in deportation planes sent by the USA.
It was stated that some of them came to the city of Manaus in handcuffs. It was emphasized that the police removed the handcuffs and a Brazilian Air Force plane was arranged for them to reach their destination.
HOW IS COLOMBIA AFFECTED BY THE CUSTOMS DUTY DECISION?
The United States is Colombia’s number one trading partner.
According to 2022 data of the US State Department, the volume of mutual trade between the two countries is more than 39 billion dollars.
The USA has large investments, especially in the mining and manufacturing sectors.
Colombia sells the most crude oil, coffee and cut flowers to the United States.
The tariffs are expected to hit US consumers and Colombian exporters the hardest.
The value of coffee purchased by the USA is around 2 billion dollars.
This means the price of coffee will likely rise in the US.
If importers turn to other sources, Colombian exporters are expected to suffer losses.