Official announcements from the U.S. government or credible news reports

Colombia Agrees to Unrestricted Acceptance of Deportees on U.S. Military Aircraft, Averting Tariffs

Jan 27, 2025, 03:38 AM

The White House announced that Colombia has agreed to all of President Donald Trump's terms regarding the repatriation of illegal immigrants from the U.S. This agreement includes the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia, including those returned on U.S. military aircraft, without any limitations or delays. In response to this agreement, the U.S. has decided to hold in reserve the previously announced 25% tariffs, which were set to increase to 50% within a week, and sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which were to be imposed unless Colombia failed to comply. Visa sanctions and enhanced customs inspections, as stated by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, will remain in effect until the first group of Colombian deportees is successfully returned. The agreement follows a tense standoff where Colombian President Gustavo Petro had initially refused to accept U.S. military aircraft carrying deported migrants, prompting Trump to threaten tariffs and other retaliatory measures.