Politics USA: Customs dispute with Colombia over deportations resolved
The customs dispute between the USA and Colombia over the deportation flights initiated by the new US President Donald Trump has been settled, according to the White House. The Colombian government has agreed to all of Trump's conditions, including the "full acceptance" of all Colombians who are sent back from the United States, according to Trump's spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. Colombia's head of state Gustavo Petro reproduced Leavitt's statement on Platform X without comment.
27.01.2025, 04:54
SDA
Since his inauguration last week, Trump's administration has been pushing ahead with arrests and deportations of undocumented migrants. In the course of this, the US government has also had undocumented migrants put on planes to take them back to their home countries.
First escalation - then agreement
However, Colombia's head of state Gustavo Petro prevented the landing of two US military aircraft with Colombians deported from the USA on board at the weekend. In response, Trump announced tariffs of 25 percent on goods from Colombia and entry restrictions. Petro immediately followed suit and instructed his government to also increase tariffs on imports from the USA by 25 percent.
The announcement from Washington now stated that Petro had agreed to allow US military aircraft to land with people flown out of the United States "without restriction or delay". On the basis of this agreement, the tariffs would not be imposed - unless Colombia did not comply with this agreement.
However, the visa sanctions imposed by the US State Department and the increased customs and border controls on all Colombian goods and nationals will remain in force for the time being until the first plane has landed in Colombia. "Today's events make it clear to the world that America is respected again," Leavitt continued.
