The tension between the United States and Colombia began when Colombian President Gustavo Petro refused to allow two US military planes carrying deported migrants to land in Colombia. Petro's decision was based on his stance that migrants should be treated with dignity and not as criminals. He emphasized that deportees should be returned on civilian planes rather than military ones, to ensure their humane treatment. This move was part of Petro's broader criticism of US immigration policies, which he has described as inhumane and degrading [1].

In response to Colombia's refusal, President Trump announced a series of retaliatory measures aimed at pressuring Colombia to accept the deported migrants. These measures included a 25% tariff on all Colombian imports to the US, which would increase to 50% within a week. Additionally, Trump threatened visa sanctions on Colombian government officials and their allies, as well as enhanced customs inspections of Colombian nationals and cargo. Trump justified these actions by claiming that Colombia's refusal to accept deportees posed a threat to US national security [2].

After intense negotiations, Colombia agreed to accept the deported migrants under specific conditions, including their transport on civilian planes. This agreement averted the immediate implementation of Trump's retaliatory measures, which were held in reserve pending Colombia's compliance. The diplomatic resolution underscores the fragility of international relations and the potential economic impacts of such disputes. The US is Colombia's largest trading partner, and any prolonged tariffs could have significant economic consequences for both nations. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing immigration policies and the need for diplomatic solutions [3].