Trump plays hardball (and wins) against Gustavo Petro
Reactions to the tough immigration policies implemented by the 47th president of the United States continue to grab headlines. No region of the world is unaffected by the Trump phenomenon, a disruptive political force sending disturbing signals, particularly to Latin America. Among the Republican leader's most aggressive measures on immigration is his plan for massive deportations. For the moment, beyond the numbers, the flights that have already left the United States for certain destinations in the region have raised a stir, especially for the way they have been organized, involving the Army and showing a rude treatment of the deportees—presented in the MAGA narrative as criminals deliberately sent by their countries of origin.
For example, Itamaraty asked for explanations for the “degrading treatment” given to about 90 Brazilian nationals deported by Washington who traveled handcuffed and had no access to drinking water or sanitation. This was denounced by Edgar Da Silva Moura, a 31-year-old computer technician who is far from being a “criminal” by the regular connotation associated with that category. “Things changed [and now] immigrants are treated as criminals,” said a 21-year-old freelancer who also alerted about the suspicious failure of the air conditioning system during the flight, which led some people to faint. The event seems to have shocked Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who disallowed the landing of two repatriation flights that according to the head of Foggy Bottom had previously been agreed with the authorities of the South American country.
The Colombians would receive the same treatment "offered" to the deported Brazilians. In response to Marco Rubio, Petro did not deny the possibility that officials of his Foreign Ministry had approved such dynamics, but that he did not support it and for that reason, he had revoked the permission for the flights to enter Colombian airspace. “Do not demand me to receive deportees from the US in handcuffs and a military aircraft”, said the head of the Nariño House quoting a report via X, a platform he inappropriately employs on occasions. By the way, it is interesting the recognition of some distance between the president's policy and the bureaucracy of the foreign ministry.
Los EEUU no pueden tratar como delincuentes a los migrantes Colombianos.
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) January 26, 2025
Desautorizo la entrada de aviones norteamericanos con migrantes colombianos a nuestro territorio.
EEUU debe establecer un protocolo de tratamiento digno a los migrantes antes que los recibamos nosotros.
After learning of Petro's refusal to receive the flights, the U.S. president ordered “emergency 25% tariffs” on all Colombian imported goods, which in one week would double. In addition, he decreed the introduction of State-enforced visa restrictions, the tightening of customs and immigration controls on Colombian cargo and nationals, respectively, and financial sanctions under the authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Even the Mexican peso suffered immediately after this announcement. Petro then responded by ordering tariffs of 25% as well on U.S.-origin shipments and also directed to seek other markets for Colombian goods and increase exports.
The crisis immediately alarmed Colombian businesses and politicians, concerned about the effect of the potential tariffs on the country, “the U.S.'s fourth-largest overseas supplier of crude oil” and also its “largest supplier of fresh cut flowers”, per AP. But after some surely intense bilateral back-channel negotiations and internal discussions within the Colombian government, an agreement seems to have been reached to avoid a trade war, although following what we read it was Colombia that gave in on all its demands. Thus, the Mar-a-Lago-based man had a prime opportunity early on to show how far he is determined to go by assuming a position of strength. "Today's events make clear to the world that America is respected again. President Trump ... expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States," the Republican administration said in a statement quoted by Reuters.
🚨The Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump’s terms pic.twitter.com/mQocusSGOC
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 27, 2025
Haiti, Trump-related news 👇 (The Kenyan president has suggested that Trump will continue to support the multinational security support mission in Haiti, which would imply that there would be an exemption here to the pause in U.S. foreign aid programs decreed by the American president).
Haitian leader says the Trump administration’s plans will be 'catastrophic' for his country https://t.co/bFKrMb6WB3
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 26, 2025
Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, turn to faith amid deportation fearshttps://t.co/kaIFmBH4ND
— WATE 6 On Your Side (@6News) January 27, 2025
The migrants depicted in the cover photo of the tweet below are three Chinese and one Malaysian who turned themselves to Border Patrol agents in the busy San Diego corridor last January 23, after sneaking through a gap in the border wall. Nine Indians and one Nepalese arrived simultaneously.
Trump’s border emergency declaration comes amid relative calm after years of major turmoilhttps://t.co/ULJMavCCWg pic.twitter.com/V1GWoCC3ro
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) January 27, 2025
Other interesting recent reports on Trump and immigration 👇
While President Donald Trump's order this week declaring a "national emergency" at the Mexican border may soon result in thousands of US Army soldiers heading south, troop deployments in Eagle Pass were already boosted last year:https://t.co/9FaI2VNLjp pic.twitter.com/R5hy9wCOit
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 26, 2025
Democratic states weigh more support for immigrants as Trump administration cracks down https://t.co/KpdBrbIWG9
— Chicago Tribune Politics (@ChiTribCloutSt) January 25, 2025
In policy reversal, Trump eliminates help for Black and Latino communities hit harder by pollution https://t.co/fSqI3MtdtB
— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) January 26, 2025
Uruguayans in Congo?
The concerning situation in the faraway Democratic Republic of Congo has resonated somehow on this side of the world, after the killing of a Uruguayan Blue Helmet last Saturday, victim of the M23 Tutsi rebels' lightning offensive. The South American soldier is part of the so-called “Uruguay IV” Battalion, working under the United Nations mandate to pacify the troubled African nation. Four Guatemalan blue helmets were also wounded last week. The M23 group besieged the town of Goma and claimed victory in that effort on Sunday. The crisis is part of the historical conflict between Congo and Rwanda.
Rebels of the M23 movement say they have taken control of Goma in eastern Congo.
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) January 27, 2025
The streets are now quiet, after hours of gunfire and explosions. https://t.co/Xu7LI3jZvC pic.twitter.com/7dnSu6sIzm
And this is all for our report today. I have referenced the sources dynamically in the text, and remember you can learn how and where to follow the LATAM trail news by reading my work here. Have a nice day.
