• President Trump announced immediate tariffs on Colombian goods after Colombia refused to accept U.S. military deportation flights.
• Colombian President Gustavo Petro insisted that migrant return protocols must ensure dignity for deportees.
• After negotiations, Colombia agreed to resume accepting deportation flights under U.S. conditions.

The diplomatic clash between Colombia and the United States escalated on Sunday after Colombian President Gustavo Petro refused the landing of two U.S. military planes carrying deported migrants. President Donald Trump, asserting that Petro's actions jeopardized American national security, retaliated by announcing a series of 25% tariffs on all Colombian imports, set to increase to 50% within a week unless Colombia complied with U.S. deportation protocols.

Petro responded by emphasizing that Colombia would accept its deportees back only on “civilian planes” and under conditions that respect human dignity, stating, “A migrant is not a criminal.” He expressed concerns over the treatment of deported individuals on military aircraft, which often included handcuffs and restraints. In an earlier social media post, he showcased distressing footage of Brazilian deportees arriving in similarly degrading conditions, amplifying his call for humane treatment of returnees.

As tensions rose, both leaders exchanged barbs on social media platforms. Following Trump's ultimatum, Petro indicated that Colombia would also raise tariffs on U.S. goods, highlighting a potential trade war. However, negotiations swiftly unfolded, resulting in the Colombian government capitulating to Trump's demands, which included agreeing to accept the deportation flights without restriction.

The White House touted the agreement as a significant diplomatic victory, indicating that Colombia’s compliance showcased America's regained respect on the world stage. In the aftermath, Trump’s administration announced it would suspend the threatened tariffs, provided Colombia honors the new arrangement.

In recent years, Colombia has been a key ally in U.S. efforts to combat drug trafficking, often accepting deportation flights in accordance with previous agreements. Following recent dynamics, the nation's stance on accepting deported migrants without specific terms raised critical questions about its sovereignty and human rights practices related to deportations. The swift resolution of this latest diplomatic incident, mushrooming out of Trump's new hardline immigration policies, underscores the evolving power dynamics in Latin American-U.S. relations.

As the implementation of mass deportations and strict immigration enforcement continues, it remains to be seen how similar tactics will employ pressure on other countries facing similar societal and political challenges under Trump's administration.

For more information, read the full article on Al Jazeera.