Ah, the sweet sound of another international leader learning the hard way that President Trump doesn’t play games. Colombian President Gustavo Petro, the former Marxist-turned-president, thought he could outsmart the United States by blocking deportation flights of Colombian criminals back to their home country. Spoiler alert: that plan lasted about five minutes. When Trump threatened tariffs and sanctions, Petro folded so fast you’d think he was trying to set a world record in backtracking.
Let’s start with the facts. Petro initially declared he wouldn’t allow U.S. flights carrying Colombian deportees—many of them criminals—to land in his country. In a dramatic attempt to appear tough, Petro demanded the U.S. establish a “protocol for the dignified treatment of migrants” before Colombia would agree to take them back. Dignity, huh? How dignified is it to allow your citizens to illegally enter another country, break its laws, and then demand to keep them? But I digress.
Trump wasted no time putting Petro in his place. Within hours, the White House announced a series of brutal measures that made Petro’s stunt look like amateur hour. A 25% tariff on all Colombian imports was just the beginning, with a warning it would skyrocket to 50% within a week. Trump also slapped travel bans, visa sanctions, and financial penalties on Petro’s government officials, their allies, and even their families. To top it off, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stepped up inspections on all Colombian cargo and flights, ensuring no one from Petro’s inner circle would slip through the cracks. And just like that, the Colombian president’s grand stand crumbled.
Even more embarrassing for Petro was Trump’s blunt callout on Truth Social, where the president made no attempt to hide his disdain for the Colombian leader. Trump pointed out that Petro’s stunt “jeopardized the National Security and Public Safety of the United States” and warned that his administration would respond with “urgent and decisive retaliatory measures.” And respond they did.
Under @POTUS ’s direction, CBP is taking decisive measures in response to Colombia:
– Enhanced inspections of flights, private aircraft, & cargo to/from Colombia
– Denying boarding to flagged visa holders
– Enforcing the travel ban on Colombian officials w/ DOS coordination pic.twitter.com/SEbd67v2TO— CBP (@CBP) January 26, 2025
Petro, clearly out of his depth, scrambled to save face. Suddenly, his government was all about ensuring the “dignified return” of deported Colombians. In a laughable PR move, he even offered his presidential plane to transport the deportees. Dignified indeed—just not for Petro, who caved to all of Trump’s terms, agreeing to accept deportees “without limitation or delay.” The White House made it clear that while tariffs and sanctions would be held in reserve for now, visa restrictions and enhanced inspections would remain until the first planeload of deportees landed successfully. Petro learned quickly that when Trump says he’s serious, he means it.
What Trump just did to Colombia is one of the most savage things a president has ever done.
It took less than an hour for their president to not only bend the knee, but offer his presidential plane to conduct repatriations flights.
Incredible.
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) January 26, 2025
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio wasted no time fulfilling Trump’s orders, immediately suspending visa issuance at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá and imposing travel sanctions on Petro’s cronies. Rubio summed it up perfectly: “Measures will continue until Colombia meets its obligations to accept the return of its own citizens.” This is what America First looks like in action—no more bending over backward for foreign leaders who think they can take advantage of U.S. goodwill.
Of course, Petro tried to act tough on social media, threatening to raise tariffs on U.S. goods in retaliation. But let’s be real—Colombia’s economy is hardly in a position to survive a trade war with the United States. Petro’s posturing came off as little more than a desperate attempt to save face with his own people, who, according to reports, aren’t exactly his biggest fans.
It’s that easy. It always was. The country was gas lit into believing it was hard.
You can just do things. https://t.co/VJaeDbhsLr
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) January 26, 2025
Petro’s blunder is a textbook example of what happens when you try to mess with a president who actually knows how to wield leverage. Trump’s swift, no-nonsense response made it clear that America isn’t a doormat anymore. Other nations should take note: if you refuse to cooperate with the U.S. on basic legal obligations, don’t be surprised when Trump hits back—and hits hard.
Once again, Trump has shown that protecting American sovereignty isn’t just a campaign slogan. It’s a policy.
