Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who is a former Marxist terrorist, reversed course on Sunday after he blocked two U.S. flights from landing in the country that were carrying criminal illegal aliens from the country.
“The Government of Colombia, under the direction of President Gustavo Petro, has arranged the presidential plane to facilitate the dignified return of the compatriots who were going to arrive in the country today in the morning, coming from deportation flights,” Petro’s office said in a statement. “This measure responds to the Government’s commitment to guarantee decent conditions. In no way have Colombians, as patriots and subjects of rights, have not been and will be banished from Colombian territory.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the U.S. “will no longer be lied to nor taken advantage of.”
“It is the responsibility of each nation to take back their citizens who are illegally present in the United States in a serious and expeditious manner,” he said. “Colombian President Petro had authorized flights and provided all needed authorizations and then canceled his authorization when the planes were in the air. As demonstrated by today’s actions, we are unwavering in our commitment to end illegal immigration and bolster America’s border security.”
President Trump has made it clear that under his administration, America will no longer be lied to nor taken advantage of. It is the responsibility of each nation to take back their citizens who are illegally present in the United States in a serious and expeditious manner.…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@secrubio) January 26, 2025
The reversal by Petro came just several minutes after Trump announced a series of tough measures against the country for refusing the flights, including:
- Emergency 25% tariffs on all goods coming into the United States. In one week, the 25% tariffs will be raised to 50%.
- A Travel Ban and immediate Visa Revocations on the Colombian Government Officials, and all Allies and Supporters.
- Visa Sanctions on all Party Members, Family Members, and Supporters of the Colombian Government.
- Enhanced Customs and Border Protection Inspections of all Colombian Nationals and Cargo on national security grounds.
IEEPA Treasury, Banking and Financial Sanctions to be fully imposed.
Trump said that the measures were only “the beginning” and that the U.S. “will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States!”
The announcement from the president came about an hour after an official with knowledge of the situation told The Daily Wire that Trump would be taking immediate action against Colombia.
There are approximately 200,000 illegal aliens from Colombia living in the U.S., according to the most recent data from the Pew Research Center from 2022.
