The United States announces new measures against Colombia: they suspend the issuance of visas

The United States Department of State announced on the night of this Sunday, January 26, that there will be new measures against Colombia, in the midst of the diplomatic crisis between the two countries, due to President Donald Trump’s announcements to impose tariffs on 25% to the country because the government of President Gustavo Petro refused to receive two planes with migrants from North America.

Through the issuance of visas in the USA. Embassy Bogotá consular section”.

The entity added that people who interfered with the deportees’ entry into Colombia will also be sanctioned: “Secretary Rubio is now authorizing travel sanctions on individuals and their families, who were responsible for interfering with repatriation flight operations. of the USA. The measures will continue until Colombia meets its obligations to accept the return of its own citizens. “The United States will not back down when it comes to defending its national security interests.”

(Read also: Petro responds to closure of visa section to the United States, after disallowing migrant flights)

Marco Rubio says that Petro had authorized the entry of the planes

The Secretary of State of United States, Marco Rubiostated this Sunday that the Colombian president, Gustavo Petrohad authorized the reception of two migrant deportation flights but then retracted it when they were already in the air.

In retaliation, the American president, Donald Trumpordered this Sunday the imposition of 25% tariffs on all imported Colombian products and the revocation of visas for senior officials of the Government of Colombia.

“President Trump has made it clear that, under his Administration, he will no longer allow people to lie or take advantage of USA“Rubio stated in a statement.

The head of US diplomacy stressed that “it is the responsibility of each nation to receive in a serious and expeditious manner its citizens who are illegally in USA“.

“Colombian President Petro had authorized the flights and provided all the necessary authorizations, but then canceled his authorization when the planes were already in the air,” Rubio denounced.

“As today’s actions demonstrate, we are unwavering in our commitment to ending illegal immigration and strengthening U.S. border security. USA“, he stated.

Trump announced on the Truth Social network the imposition of 25% tariffs on all Colombian products, a tariff that will rise to 50% within a week, and the revocation of visas for senior Colombian government officials and their families.

In addition, the president ordered reinforced inspections at customs and border controls for “all” Colombian citizens and goods, and the “total imposition” of fiscal, banking and financial sanctions on Colombia.

Gustavo Petro announces 25% tariffs on the United States

The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petroordered this Sunday to increase tariffs on US imports by 25%, in response to the decision of his US counterpart, Donald Trumpto impose 25% tariffs on all Colombian products.

“He ordered (sic) the minister of foreign trade to raise tariffs on imports from the US by 25%. The ministry must help direct our exports to the entire world other than the US. Our exports must expand,” Petro said in social network

The diplomatic crisis broke out after Petro did not allow the entry of two planes with deported US citizens this Sunday until they received “dignified” treatment.

In response to Petro’s decision, Trump ordered the imposition of 25% tariffs on all Colombian products and announced that in a week “they will rise to 50%.”

He also announced visa restrictions for the Petro Government and his party, possible economic sanctions on the country and “inspections” on Colombian citizens and goods arriving in the United States.

In that sense, Petro invited “foreign Colombian communities to be marketers of our products” to apparently try to compensate for the loss of market in USA.

(Read also: What will happen to Colombians who were going to process a visa for the United States this January 27?)

MANDEL NGAN RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP

“North American products whose price will rise within the national economy must be replaced by national production, the government will help in this purpose,” added the president.

Petro had already recently questioned some of Trump’s decisions or policies, and last Tuesday he described as “dangerous” the comment that the tenant of the White House made about Latin America, a region about which the North American president said: “We don’t need them.” “.

The differences between United States and Colombiawhich had agreed to send these two flights with deportees, also extend to other Latin American countries that have disapproved of the procedures of what, according to Trump, will be “the largest mass expulsion operation of foreigners in the history of the United States.” .