Colombian President Gustavo Petro had a quick change of heart about accepting flights of deported migrants from the U.S. after President Trump dangled emergency tariffs of up to 50% over Colombia like a sword of Damocles.
Not only did Petro backtrack on his initial refusal, but he went full hospitality mode, offering up the Colombian presidential plane to personally ferry migrants back home. Petro framed the gesture as a noble effort to “guarantee decent conditions” for those returning, though the timing made it feel more like the diplomatic equivalent of baking cookies for an angry neighbor.
“The Government of Colombia, under the direction of President Gustavo Petro, has arranged the presidential plane to facilitate the dignified return of the compatriots,” an official statement explained with all the earnestness of someone trying very hard to avoid sanctions.
The Trump administration, clearly enjoying its victory, graciously agreed to hold off on imposing tariffs—as long as Colombia stayed in its lane and kept those deportation flights coming. For good measure, visa sanctions and extra inspections at Customs would stick around “until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned,” ensuring Petro knew who held the reins.
Trump’s press secretary gleefully added, “Today’s events make clear to the world that America is respected again,” a sentiment that probably played well on cable news but might have sounded a bit smug if you were, say, Petro.
Speaking of Petro, the leftist former guerrilla wasn’t going to let this diplomatic face-plant go without a bit of theater. While coordinating the logistics for his “dignified return” flights, he hopped on social media to deliver a rant aimed squarely at Trump.
“You don’t like our freedom, fine,” Petro posted, before going full drama mode with, “I do not shake hands with white enslavers.” A bold statement from a man who just offered up his presidential plane to meet Trump’s demands.
The whole saga began earlier this weekend when the U.S., determined to crack down on illegal immigration, sent two military flights packed with deported Colombian migrants. What followed was a whirlwind clash of egos and tariffs, ending with Petro pulling off the diplomatic equivalent of a very public shrug.
And so, the first “return flight of dignity” was prepped, with Petro simultaneously conceding the battle and launching his fiery Twitter retort—because nothing says leadership quite like a social media rant after agreeing to terms.
