Colombian President Gustavo Petro denied entry to American deportation flights due to reports of mistreatment of Colombian nationals, which resulted in threats of sanctions from Trump.
Colombia will be sending its presidential planes to return the Colombian nationals to the country, as the president asserted that the US cannot treat the Colombian nationals as criminals. The Colombian government appointed a dedicated team to bring back the deported immigrants. The presidential office of Colombia gave an official statement regarding the revival of the Colombian nationals:
“The Government of Colombia, under the direction of President Gustavo Petro, has made the presidential aircraft available to facilitate the dignified return of fellow nationals who were to arrive in the country this morning on deportation flights. This measure responds to the Government’s commitment to guarantee dignified conditions. Under no circumstances have Colombians, as patriots and rights-holders, been or will be banished from Colombian territory,”
The Colombian Government said it would contact US officials to ensure the dignified re-entry of Colombian nationals into their country. As President Petro denied the planes from America, Trump threatened to impose 25% ‘emergency tariffs.
The official statement also added, “Likewise, the Government of Colombia maintains active conversations with the Government of the United States, seeking agreements that ensure minimum conditions of respect and dignified treatment for fellow citizens during deportation processes, recognizing them as rights-holders,”
Trump highly criticized Petro’s move and imposed more sanctions and policies against Colombia, including a travel ban on Colombian nationals. He also threatened to double it this coming weekend.
Frustrated by Petro’s denial, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Colombian goods, threatening to double it. He also added a travel ban, stating that this is “just the beginning” of even bigger consequences.
On the social media app called Truth Social, he said regarding Petro’s declined the flights, “This order was given by Colombia’s Socialist President Gustavo Petro, who is already very unpopular amongst his people”.
“Checkmate?”
The two countries’ conflict with the issue of imposing tariffs has become ongoing. Colombian President Petro has imposed a 25% tariff on US imports to Colombia, which has since increased to 50%. He has also encouraged businesses to reduce their reliance on US exports.
Colombian Imports: The Effect
Key industries in Colombia, such as chemical manufacturing, corn production, and petroleum, may face challenges.
Tariffs on coffee, flowers, and other Colombian imports have been increased. While these products represent a small portion of total U.S. imports, some sectors in the U.S. heavily depend on them. With Valentine’s Day approaching, the price hike for flowers and the subsequent increase in coffee prices are being noted.
Haripriya Mishra is a journalist deeply interested in world news and geopolitics. She likes to explore the complexities of global affairs and strives to bring clarity to these issues through thoughtful journalism. Through her writing, she intends to raise the right questions, fostering informed discussions about national and international matters. Haripriya aims to use journalism as a platform to connect with people, share diverse perspectives, and contribute to a deeper understanding of global issues. She is committed to producing content that is accurate, ethical, and impactful. She enjoys creative writing and reflecting on the nuances of media and storytelling.
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