Trump victory as Colombia ACCEPTS US deportation planes carrying criminals & offers Petro’s jet after tariff threat
Trump victory as Colombia ACCEPTS US deportation planes carrying criminals & offers Petro’s jet after tariff threat
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DONALD Trump has claimed an early victory after Colombia backed down in a dispute over migrant repatriation flights. The president had threatened tariffs and sanctions on the South American nation to punish it for refusing to accept military jets carrying deportees.
![[Donald Trump reviewing documents at his desk in the Oval Office.]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/donald-trump-accuses-wind-turbines-966690202.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Newly-inaugurated Trump posted online about his intention to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Colombian imports and an immediate visa revocation for government officials. Colombian President Gustavo Petro had stopped two US military aircraft full of their citizens from landing in the country on Sunday.
![[Detainees in chains walk toward a military transport plane.]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/presssec-4h-deportation-flights-begun-966328045.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But late on Sunday, just two hours after Trump's threat, the White House said Bogota had caved and agreed to accept migrants. Petro even offered his presidential plane to "facilitate the dignified return of the compatriots who were to arrive in the country this morning from deportation flights".
![[Illustration of Trump's border crackdown plan, showing wall construction, troop deployment, and other measures.]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/TB_TRUMP_BORDER_ACTION2-1.png)
It means Washington will not impose its threatened penalties as Trump ploughs on with his sweeping immigration crackdown. The White House said Colombia will accept migrants arriving on US military aircraft "without limit or delay". Draft orders imposing tariffs and sanctions on Colombia would be "held in reserve, and not signed, unless Colombia fails to honor this agreement", it added.
![[Colombian President Gustavo Petro speaking into a microphone.]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/colombian-president-gustavo-petro-delivers-966924563_fc1911.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Colombia said a dialogue with Washington would be maintained to "guarantee the dignity of our citizens". The agreement is being hailed as a victory for Trump, who retook the White House a week ago. The statement added: "Today's events make clear to the world that America is respected again.
