The Trump administration's decision to cancel visa appointments at the U.S. embassy in Bogota has sparked new tensions between the United States and Colombia. As part of a broader deportation strategy, the U.S. government has increased pressure on Latin American countries, including Mexico, which has recently received approximately 4,094 deportees from the United States in the week following Donald Trump's inauguration. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced a national priority to welcome deported Mexicans back home, launching a repatriation initiative titled "Mexico Embraces You."
The diplomatic clash between the United States and Colombia emerged after Colombia initially refused to accept deportees being transported on U.S. military flights. In response, the Trump administration threatened to impose tariffs on Colombian exports, starting with a 25 percent increase and escalating to 50 percent. Colombian President Gustavo Petro countered with a similar threat of retaliatory tariffs against the United States. The situation reflects the Trump administration's assertive foreign policy stance, as highlighted by Karoline Leavitt, who stated:
“Thanks to President Trump: Yesterday, Mexico accepted a record 4 deportation flights in 1 day!” – Karoline Leavitt
The ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Colombia culminated in an agreement where Colombia consented to all of President Trump's terms, including accepting deportees on U.S. military aircraft. This development was confirmed by Leavitt:
“The Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft,” – Karoline Leavitt
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed satisfaction with the recent agreement between Colombia and the United States, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in managing migration issues. Sheinbaum stated:
“We think it is good that an agreement has finally been reached between the Colombian government and the United States government,” – Claudia Sheinbaum
As Mexico receives deportees from the United States, President Sheinbaum reiterated her country's commitment to prioritize receiving Mexican nationals while coordinating with other countries regarding deportations. She noted:
“In the case of people who are not Mexican, there is also prior coordination,” – Claudia Sheinbaum
This coordination involves maintaining communication with governments in Central America to manage deportations effectively:
“The United States has also had fluid communication with other governments, particularly in Central America.” – Claudia Sheinbaum
The reinstatement of deportation policies under Trump's administration has revived discussions around the controversial "Remain in Mexico" policy, which required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their claims were processed at the U.S. border. Although formally ended in 2021 under President Joe Biden, Trump aims to reinstate this policy during his second term. Mexico has previously expressed disapproval over such "unilateral deportations," seeking agreements that would ensure deportees from other countries are returned to their nations of origin:
“We hope to have an agreement with the Trump administration in case deportations occur so that they also send people who come from other countries back to their countries of origin.” – Claudia Sheinbaum
Brazil has also criticized the handling of deportation procedures by the United States, particularly denouncing the use of handcuffs on deportation flights as a violation of human rights.
As Mexico continues to receive deportees from various countries under its "Mexico Embraces You" program, Sheinbaum emphasized:
“Our main function is to receive Mexicans,” – Claudia Sheinbaum
This focus aligns with Mexico's broader initiative to support its citizens during repatriation.
