In a remarkable day of diplomacy, the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump reversed course and agreed not to sanction or tariff Colombia after having reached an agreement with Colombian President Gustavo Petro on the deported migrants. The solution seemed to have averted a potential trade and diplomatic crisis that had been simmering for a good 24 hours now and that represented an escalation of haste.
This all started when Colombia refused permission for two U.S. military transports carrying some 80 deported emigrants back to Colombia. President Petro had previously condemned the use of such aircraft for deportations, arguing that Colombian nationals needed to be repatriated with due consideration for their dignity. Consequently, President Trump retaliated by suggestion a 25% import duty on Colombian goods and threatening to revoke visas for officials and Petro supporters. In return, Colombia threatened a 50% duty on U.S. goods, further raising the stakes.
Relaxing of a Diplomatic Standoff
High tension was finally lessened only when President Petro speechified very threatening and posturing and finally sent his presidential plane to repatriate the deportees from the U.S. in an apparent attempt to at least quell an unbounded crisis at a somewhat tightening level. While U.S. officials hailed it as a sign that the Trump administration’s immigration policies are winning, most analysts believe that the issue was more about symbolic appearances than policy disagreements.
In the words of Richard McColl, a freelance journalist based in Colombia, “This has been a slanging match over technicalities: Colombia was not refusing to accept the migrants but simply objecting to the use of military planes. Colombia received over 120 deportation flights last year alone, so this seems more about process than principle.”
Underlying Political Dynamics
This incident only goes on to show the greater political difference that exists between the two countries. By the very first leftist president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, was that there is constant ideological quarrel with the government headed by President Trump. His open war of words against the U.S. in regards to their deportation practices, mostly extended by heated social media posts, draw the ideological difference that could possibly end up in discord many times in the near future. McColl continued, “These two leaders have markedly different worldviews, and it is highly probable that further arguments will continue. His position in this context reverberates well domestically, underlining his line of dignity and respect for ‘colombianos’ abroad.” A Temporary Respite from Internal Trials Truth be told, the diplomatic storm seems no more than a brief escape from severity within Colombia. On the other hand, the Catatumbo region sees an escalation in acts of violence as a result of clashes between armed groups, being one of the most critical spots for the success of Petro’s administration. Although the incident of the deported migrants may have received more media attention, to some extent, this is considered as a very tiny opportunistic political diversification for Petro in this specific situation.
Where Do We Stand?
A resolution of the immediate crisis practically reminds both the U.S. and Colombia that their relations under a double leadership can hardly be called rosy or stable. It is now probable that this too could be a source of future clashes, as strong oppositional stands of each leader on deportations may rekindle hostilities all over again at the top.
This high-stakes diplomatic encounter highlights the increasing complexity of international relations in an age when social media amplifies invective and reshapes traditional diplomacy. It remains to be seen whether this truce will last, but for the time being, both nations are keen to move on and focus on their respective interests.
