On the 26th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump retaliated with visa and financial sanctions against Colombia. This was due to Colombia's refusal to allow airplanes carrying Colombian nationals who were illegally staying in the U.S. to land.
Trump noted on that day on the social media platform he founded, Truth Social, that "I just received reports that two repatriation flights from the United States carrying multiple illegal criminals were denied landing in Colombia," adding, "This is at the direction of the highly unpopular socialist President Petro, which poses a threat to the national security and public safety of the United States."
He went on to say, "I have directed the administration to immediately implement five urgent and decisive retaliatory measures," listing them. Trump imposed an emergency tariff of 25% on U.S. imports from Colombia and ordered it to increase to 50% after a week. He also decided on a ban on entry and visa cancellations for Colombian government officials and all allies and supporters. Additionally, he commanded visa restrictions for members of the ruling Colombian government party and their families, as well as their supporters.
Furthermore, based on national security, he strengthened customs and border inspections for all Colombian nationals and cargo, and also directed the Treasury Department to implement sanctions on banks and financial institutions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Trump stated, "This measure is just the beginning," adding, "I will not allow the Colombian government to violate its legal obligations regarding the housing and repatriation of criminals forcibly relocated to the United States."
Earlier, Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Colombia would not accept the practice of the United States placing its nationals on military aircraft for expulsion. Latin American countries have expressed concerns over Trump's massive illegal immigration deportation plan, but Colombia is the first to take concrete actions, such as denying entry to planes carrying immigrants.