The News
Colombia agreed to accept flights with deported migrants from the US Sunday after President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs and sanctions on the country.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro had specifically taken issue with Washington’s use of military planes for the flights, calling it degrading.
The measures, which include 25% “emergency” tariffs and a travel ban targeting Colombian officials, mark Trump’s first definitive use of economic retaliation on a foreign government to push his agenda since taking office last week.
The White House said visa sanctions and enhanced inspections on Colombians at the border would remain in place “until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned.”
Trump may be trying to make an example out of Bogotá, and dissuade other Latin American countries from defying him, Reuters reported. “It sends a powerful message to the world, that not even old political allies are safe if they do not cooperate,” Bloomberg wrote.