President Donald Trump has commenced the deportation of illegal immigrants who have prior criminal convictions. However, the situation intensified when a South American nation, Colombia, denied a U.S. aircraft carrying these deportees the right to land, an action that Trump has highlighted as a breach of international obligations.

Trump took to Truth Social to express his frustration, detailing that two repatriation flights bearing numerous illegal criminals were barred from landing in Colombia due to an order from Colombian President Gustavo Petro, whom Trump accused of being unpopular among his constituents. According to Al Jazeera, Petro's approval rating currently stands around 30%. Trump further asserted that Petro’s refusal has endangered both national security and public safety in the United States and announced several retaliatory actions.

These actions include an immediate 25% tariff on all imports from Colombia, set to increase to 50% within a week, a travel ban on Colombian government officials, heightened inspections for Colombian nationals, and economic sanctions enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Trump made it clear that these steps are just the beginning, asserting his intention to ensure that Colombia adheres to its obligations regarding the acceptance of deported criminals.

In response, President Petro conveyed through X that the treatment of Colombian migrants as criminals by the U.S. is unacceptable, declaring his country would refuse entry to American aircraft carrying these individuals until a more dignified protocol was established for migrants. Despite the U.S. and Colombia having an extradition treaty concerning dual criminality, Petro indicated a willingness to reassess this agreement, though it remains in effect.

Petro warned that Colombia does not wish for confrontations, implying that escalating tensions could have negative outcomes for both nations, particularly Colombia. Following Trump’s retaliation, there appear to be signs of diplomacy as Petro proposed using his presidential plane to assist in the repatriation of deportees arriving from the U.S., emphasizing a commitment to humane treatment. This aim follows Petro's earlier demand that the U.S. utilize civilian planes instead of military ones for these deportation flights.

Additionally, the Brazilian government has voiced its condemnation regarding the treatment of Brazilian deportees, who were allegedly restrained during a U.S. repatriation flight, claiming that this violated agreement terms between the Brazilian and U.S. governments. Reports suggest that the deportees endured handcuffing by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement even after entering Brazilian airspace. This remains a developing story that may see further updates.