The Trump Administration was deporting two plane loads of illegal immigrants back to Colombia. The Colombian President decided to refuse those flights, which were in mid-air at the time, because dignity and reasons. In other words, he picked a fight with President Trump.
“I do not authorize the entry of North American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory,” Petro said. “The U.S. must establish a protocol of dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them.”
Petro knew full well that these weren’t ordinary migrants trying to legally enter the United States. He was playing word games and was hoping for a sympathetic hearing. He evidently thought President Trump would cave, just as Joe Biden did for four straight years. Boy was he wrong.
“I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia,” Trump wrote Sunday.
“This order was given by Colombia’s Socialist President Gustavo Petro, who is already very unpopular amongst his people,” he said, adding that Petro’s decision has “jeopardized the National Security and Public Safety of the United States.”
And then Trump really made his move.
BREAKING: Trump releases statement & announces more severe retaliatory moves against Colombia, including 25% tariffs, a travel ban, visa sanctions, enhanced CBP inspections, and financial sanctions.
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 26, 2025
Per senior administration official: “This is a clear message we are sending… pic.twitter.com/iTRPRs0xzN
Those initial sanctions and tariffs were for one week. ONE. After that, tariffs would be hiked up to 50% and more sanctions would be added. President Trump wasn’t playing Colombia’s game.
Keep in mind, it wasn’t just Colombia who was whining about the “degrading” treatment of the illegals in our country. It was Brazil as well.
Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is requesting an explanation from the U.S. government over the “degrading treatment” deportees were subject to on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement repatriation flight Friday.
How DARE they not be given First Class treatment on the way back to their countries. So sad. Too damned bad. You enter this country illegally and then commit additional crimes, you do NOT deserve a cushy first class flight home. Period.
President Trump wasn’t playing around. Colombia President Gustavo Petro quickly realized his mistake and in LESS THAN ONE HOUR, he caved. But not before trying to clap back with his own threats of tariffs.
NEW: Colombian president posts on X that if Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Colombia, he’ll do the same to the U.S. Adds that he doesn’t like traveling to the U.S. as it’s “a bit boring” and says “your blockade does not scare me.” https://t.co/PUsZdZSted
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 26, 2025
Evidently reality hit. Colombia has much more to lose in a tariff fight than the U.S. does.
Petro later appeared to back down, posting in a statement that he has arranged the presidential plane to “facilitate the dignified return of the nationals who were to arrive today in the morning.”
“This measure responds to the government’s commitment to guarantee dignified conditions. In no way Colombians, as patriots and subjects of rights, have been and will not be banished from Colombian territory,” he said in the statement.
Of course, that didn’t stop Democrats from whining about coffee and Valentines Day flowers. Yes, really.
Colombia supplies 27% of America’s coffee and a huge portion of our cut flowers, roots, bulbs, and more, with Valentine’s Day just 18 days away.
— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) January 26, 2025
Get ready for your morning coffee and Valentine’s Day celebration to be far more expensive.
The sheer number of Democrats lining up to defend Colombia instead of the United States is highly instructive. Well, President Trump and the Trump Administration won’t be playing those appeasement games anymore. Via Secretary of State Marco Rubio:
President Trump has made it clear that under his administration, America will no longer be lied to nor taken advantage of. It is the responsibility of each nation to take back their citizens who are illegally present in the United States in a serious and expeditious manner.
Colombian President Petro had authorized flights and provided all needed authorizations and then canceled his authorization when the planes were in the air. As demonstrated by today’s actions, we are unwavering in our commitment to end illegal immigration and bolster America’s border security.
We are now in the era of walk softly and carry a big bazooka. We are done being pushed around, and the fact that Colombia caved within an HOUR shows they know the Trump Administration means business.
Trump just posted this on Truth Social – FAFO pic.twitter.com/7nqLbusGhj
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 26, 2025
Colombia tried to FA and they lost, BIGLY. The above from President Trump and this below is just icing in the cake.
https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1883628073100386723
Appeasement diplomacy is no more, and the Colombian President found that out the hard way.
Feature Photo Credit: Grok/X/cropped/Public Domain
Cameron says: “Get ready for your morning coffee and Valentine’s Day celebration to be far more expensive.”
Your Valentine’s Day celebration involves your hand, Harry. You aren’t going to be suffering that badly.
Liz says: Shouldn’t they be happy that we can boost local production and reduce the carbon footprint from international flower delivery?
(also: I was today years old when I learned that flower shipments from Columbia are a source for drug smuggling)
All that aside, Trump’s negotiation strategy was truly thing of beauty. Brought to mind that scene in Ender’s Game with the bully. He didn’t just want to stop one situation he wanted to prevent future trouble (in Trump’s case, all around…because the minute the situation with Columbia became “a negotiation” it would open the door for same all around the world, as Trump obviously knew).
Joe R. says: Trump still needs to outlaw remittances.
3 Comments