Colombian President Gustavo Petro is urging undocumented Colombians in the United States to leave their jobs and return home, even after a tense standoff with President Donald Trump over deportation flights. The sudden plea comes with promises of government aid and loans for those who head back.
Key Facts:
- President Gustavo Petro asked undocumented Colombians to quit their jobs in the U.S. and return to Colombia.
- The Colombian government will provide financial assistance and business loans for returning migrants.
- Petro initially refused a U.S. military plane carrying deported Colombians, citing their treatment as criminals.
- Trump threatened immediate tariffs on Colombian goods if deportations were not accepted.
- Petro backed down and agreed to accept deportees without delay or conditions.
The Rest of The Story:
Tensions flared when Petro refused to accept a U.S. deportation flight while it was in the air, claiming Columbians on board were handcuffed.
Petro then called for the deportees to arrive on civilian planes, saying that these individuals should be treated with dignity and that the use of a military aircraft suggested criminality.
President Trump promptly threatened tariffs of up to 50% on Colombian imports if Petro did not comply.
Under that pressure, Petro rescinded his refusal and agreed to receive deported Colombians on U.S. military flights.
Despite this concession, he continued to criticize what he described as an unfair depiction of migrants, suggesting that many on board were children or adults without criminal records.
Commentary:
For all the bloviating against President Trump’s stricter enforcement of immigration laws, Petro’s new request for undocumented workers to abandon their jobs and return home shows a practical side.
Le solicito a las colombianas y colombianos sin documentos en EEUU dejar sus trabajos de inmediato en ese país y retornar a Colombia lo más pronto posible
La riqueza la produce solo el pueblo trabajador.
El Departamento de Prosperidad Social, DPS, buscará entregar créditos…
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) January 31, 2025
It seems more like a cooperative move than a purely indignant gesture, especially when faced with hefty U.S. tariffs that could harm Colombia’s economy.
Trump has made it clear that every person in the country illegally is subject to deportation.
Petro’s government simply does not want to invite a serious trade war. Accepting these flights is less about pride and more about preventing economic setbacks.
Colombia benefits immensely from trade and economic agreements with the United States. Its agricultural and manufacturing sectors count on American markets.
Cooperation on security and border control also remains paramount.
If Petro’s administration truly wants to boost Colombia’s prosperity, it has little choice but to maintain constructive ties with Washington.
By extending a hand to returning migrants, Petro can also cultivate a sense of national unity—while preserving Colombia’s crucial relationship with the U.S.
The Bottom Line:
Petro’s decision to call undocumented Colombians back home aligns with his efforts to avoid punishing tariffs threatened by the Trump administration.
Both leaders are showing tough rhetoric, but in the end, cooperation appears necessary for Colombia’s economic stability.
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