Trump orders sanctions, tariffs on Colombia over deportation flight rejections

United States President Donald Trump announced sweeping sanctions and tariffs against Colombia on Sunday after it refused to accept U.S. military deportation flights.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said he was imposing emergency 25% tariffs on all Colombian goods entering the United States, with plans to raise them to 50% within a week. He also outlined visa bans, financial sanctions, and stricter customs inspections targeting Colombian nationals and officials.

“This order was given by Colombia's Socialist President Gustavo Petro, who is already very unpopular amongst his people,” Trump wrote. “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!”

The move follows Colombia's refusal earlier Sunday to allow two U.S. military flights carrying deported migrants to land. It marks the second such rejection by a Latin American nation, after Mexico blocked a similar flight last week.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized the use of military aircraft for deportations, calling it disrespectful.

"The U.S. cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals," Petro posted on X, formerly Twitter. He suggested deportees could return on civilian planes and noted that 15,660 Americans live in Colombia without proper immigration status.

Petro’s remarks reflect growing tensions in Latin America as the Trump administration ramps up deportation efforts in its second week.

The White House defended its actions, citing national security and public safety concerns. However, the escalation risks deepening rifts with key regional partners over U.S. immigration policies.