Day 7

Colombia Deportation Standoff: Economic Coercion via Tariff Threats

On January 26, 2025, the Trump administration threatened Colombia with 25% tariffs (escalating to 50%), visa sanctions, a travel ban, and enhanced customs inspections after Colombian President Petro refused to accept deportation flights on US military aircraft. Colombia capitulated within hours, agreeing to unrestricted acceptance of all deportees including on military planes. The episode demonstrated the administration's willingness to weaponize economic coercion to force sovereign nations to accept deportation terms that treated migrants as military cargo.

From: Colombia Deportation Standoff: Economic Coercion via Tariff Threats