Trump's Aggressive Foreign Policy Sends Shockwaves Through Latin America

Latin American Leaders React to Trump's Aggressive Foreign Policy

Following President Donald Trump's successful pressure on Colombian President Gustavo Petro to accept the deportation of Colombian illegal immigrants, Latin American leaders are scrambling to respond to his aggressive foreign policy.

A scheduled meeting on Thursday will bring together leaders from across the region to discuss how to navigate Trump's approach. This comes after a brief but tense standoff between Petro and Trump, who threatened "emergency 25% tariffs" and "retaliatory measures" when Petro initially denied landing spots for repatriation flights.

By Sunday evening, Colombia had agreed to all of Trump's terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of deportees. However, the White House has warned that the threatened tariffs and sanctions remain in reserve should Colombia fail to honor the agreement.

The clash between Trump and Petro has sent shockwaves through Latin America. Honduran President Xiomara Castro, at Petro's request, has called for an emergency meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to address the situation. The meeting will focus on migration, the environment, and regional unity.

Meanwhile, Mexico is also adjusting to the new administration's policies. On Friday, Mexico accepted a record number of deportation flights and has mobilized 30,000 National Guard troops. Additionally, President Claudia Sheinbaum has signed executive orders to manage the influx of deportees, including creating jobs and providing financial assistance.

With Trump's second term just a week old, the impact of his policies is already being felt beyond US borders. The upcoming CELAC meeting will be a crucial opportunity for Latin American and Caribbean leaders to strategize and adapt to the new administration's approach to border and trade issues.