The White House announced a diplomatic breakthrough late Sunday after Colombia agreed to accept all deported Colombian nationals from the United States, including those transported on U.S. military planes.
This agreement came hours after President Donald Trump threatened to impose immediate tariffs and sanctions on Colombia for refusing to comply with U.S. deportation policies.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the deal on social media, stating, “The Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay.”
As part of the agreement, the 25% emergency tariffs Trump announced earlier in the day, which were set to increase to 50% within a week, will remain on hold—contingent upon Colombia fulfilling its commitments.
Improved inspections of Colombian nationals and visa sanctions will continue until the first plane of deportees successfully arrives in Colombia.
The dispute erupted earlier on Sunday when Colombian President Gustavo Petro rejected two U.S. military flights carrying deported Colombians.
Petro accused the United States of treating Colombian migrants as criminals, sparking a tense standoff. Trump swiftly responded by unveiling a slate of retaliatory measures, including tariffs, travel bans, and visa revocations targeting Colombian officials and their allies.
“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump declared on his platform, Truth Social. “We 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!”
Petro retaliated by announcing a 50% tariff on U.S. imports, escalating tensions between the two nations. However, within hours of Trump’s initial announcement, Petro reversed course.
Colombia’s Foreign Minister, Luis Gilberto Murillo, acknowledged that an agreement had been reached and stated, “We have overcome the impasse with the U.S. government.”
The Colombian government committed to ensuring a “dignified” return for its deported citizens, even offering the use of the presidential plane to facilitate deportation flights.
While Petro’s statement avoided specific mention of military aircraft, the White House insisted that the agreement covers all forms of transport.
In a final statement, Leavitt remarked that this agreement “makes clear to the world that America is respected again.
President Trump will continue to protect our nation’s sovereignty, and he expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States.”