A trade dispute between the US and Colombia has been resolved after Colombia agreed to allow US deportation flights to land.
The conflict began when Colombian President Gustavo Petro stopped two US military planes carrying deported Colombians from landing. In response, the Trump administration threatened to impose tariffs on Colombian exports.
Initially, Petro warned that Colombia would retaliate with tariffs on US goods. However, the White House later announced that Colombia had agreed to accept deported migrants, including those arriving on US military planes, without restrictions.
The Trump administration celebrated the agreement as a success, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that the US would keep its threatened sanctions on hold unless Colombia failed to comply. She also reiterated that Trump expects all countries to accept their citizens deported from the US.
President Petro, who frequently uses social media, initially defended his decision, arguing that Colombian migrants should not be treated like criminals. He even suggested sending Colombia’s presidential plane to bring them back.
While Colombia has accepted deportation flights before—124 flights landed in 2024—Petro seemed to take issue with deportations on military flights and the treatment of migrants. His concerns followed reports of deportees to Brazil being restrained during flights. Petro vowed not to allow Colombians to be returned in handcuffs.
Despite the initial standoff, Colombia ultimately agreed to resume deportation flights, preventing a trade war with the US.
