Colombia denied entry to two U.S. military deportation flights, according to Department of Homeland Security and Pentagon officials.
The flights took place on U.S. military C-17 aircraft, each carrying about 80 Colombian immigrants, and departed from California, a defense official told NBC News.
In response, President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on imports from Colombia, visa sanctions against government officials and allies, and customs inspections, as the United States accuses Colombia of violating its obligations to accept deported nationals. Comprehensive retaliatory measures were announced on Truth Social Sunday, including increased enforcement and fines.
The plane was initially cleared to land, but the flight was halted after Colombian President Gustavo Petro suddenly revoked all diplomatic clearance for the plane, the official said.
Follow us for live updates
The move comes after Mexico briefly blocked two US military planes from landing last week, each carrying 80 passengers, thwarting deportation plans and sparking tensions. The issue was later resolved, but Mexican officials have voiced opposition to unilateral U.S. action on immigration policy.
In a statement shared with X, Petro criticized the use of military aircraft for deportations.
“Immigrants should be treated with the dignity they deserve as human beings, not criminals,” he wrote. “We will welcome our citizens on civilian flights without criminalizing them. Colombia must be respected.”
Brazil’s government on Friday condemned the degrading treatment of its nationals aboard the ICE repatriation flight, citing the use of handcuffs, a malfunctioning air conditioning system and other violations of bilateral agreements guaranteeing humane treatment. .
On Friday, Guatemala received about 265 deported nationals on three flights from the United States, two of which were military planes, according to the Guatemalan Immigration Institute.
The flights are part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration, which was launched by executive order in Trump’s first week in office. Alongside the deportation efforts, the administration has sent an additional 1,500 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to increase enforcement.
