Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that President Donald Trump’s stance is unyielding—America will no longer tolerate deception or exploitation.
On Sunday, Rubio took to X to declare it’s the duty of every nation to “take back their citizens” residing unlawfully in the United States.
He pointed a finger at Colombian President Gustavo Petro for initially agreeing to allow flights repatriating “160 deportable migrants,” only to then rescind permission when the planes were already airborne.
Trump swiftly entered the fray, threatening an array of retaliatory measures, including slapping a 25% tariff on Colombian imports, enacting a travel ban, and canceling visas for Colombian officials.
Petro quickly reversed course, even offering to dispatch a presidential plane to collect the deportees.
“President Trump has made it clear that under his administration, America will no longer be lied to nor taken advantage of,” Rubio stated.
“It is the responsibility of each nation to take back their citizens who are illegally present in the United States in a serious and expeditious manner.”
Rubio reiterated Petro’s initial acceptance before his abrupt reversal, stating,
“Colombian President Petro had authorized flights and provided all needed authorizations and then canceled his authorization when the planes were in the air.”
Rubio ended with an affirmation, “[We are] unwavering in our commitment to end illegal immigration and bolster America’s border security.”
Earlier int he day, Petro responded to the situation through X, criticizing the U.S. for its handling of deported Colombians, accusing it of treating them as “criminals.”
“The US cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals,” he wrote. “I deny the entry of American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory. The United States must establish a protocol for the dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them.”
Petro’s refusal to cooperate prompted Trump to announce drastic measures intended to pressure compliance.
He directed the implementation of immediate financial and diplomatic sanctions.
Trump specified actions such as imposing a “25% tariff on all goods coming into the United States,” stating these tariffs would escalate to 50% within a week.
Additional measures included a “travel ban and immediate visa revocations” targeting Colombian officials and their allies, “visa sanctions on all party members, family members, and supporters” of Colombia’s government, and “enhanced Customs and Border Protection inspections” targeting Colombian nationals and cargo under national security pretenses.
Financial penalties also featured prominently, with Trump mentioning that “full IEEPA Treasury, Banking and Financial Sanctions” would be enacted without delay.
“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump warned. “We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the criminals they forced into the United States!”
Despite caving to Trump after the sanctions were threatened, Petro responded late Sunday with a fiery tirade aimed directly at president.
“If you know anyone stubborn, that’s me,” Petro declared while simultaneously accusing Trump of disrespect and dismissing suggestions of intimidation.
“Trump, I don’t really like traveling to the U.S., it’s a bit boring,” he said dismissively, before transitioning to rebuke the United States’ dependence on oil, stating, “I don’t like your oil, Trump, you are going to end the human species because of greed.”
Petro’s remarks took an unusual turn when he bizarrely extended an invitation to Trump to share a drink.
“Maybe one day, over a drink of whiskey that I accept, despite my gastritis, we can talk frankly about this,” Petro remarked. “But it’s difficult because you consider me an inferior race and I am not, nor is any Colombian.”
Doubling down on his belligerence, Petro speculated that Trump might exert economic influence as a tool for political meddling in Colombia.
“You can try to carry out a coup with your economic strength and your arrogance, like they did with Allende. But I die in my law, I resisted torture and I resist you,” stated the Colombian leader.
“You will kill me, but I will survive in my people, which is before yours, in the Americas,” he proclaimed while accusing Trump of arrogance.
Ultimately, Petro retaliated by announcing plans to mirror Trump’s tariff proposition, threatening to impose a 50% tariff on U.S. imports.
“I am informed that you put a 50 percent tariff on the fruits of our human labor to enter the U.S., I do the same,” concluded Petro’s explosive address on X.
Instead of flying them back at taxpayers expense, MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE MARCHED THEM BACK THE WAY THAT THEY CAME. Columbia wants dignity then left them send their airlines to the U item States to pick them up, There’s your dignity president pedro.
Tell the Columbian PRESIDENT that they ARE CRIMINALS – they BROKE immigration LAW.
Fly the illegal foreign invaders over Columbia. Put parachutes on each one and push them out of the plane. Case closed. But since Petro’s assinine tirade he has seen the light. International Law means he MUST accept his citizens wether he likes it or not.
Petra sounds like an angry little woman. We don’t need Columbia or his illegals. And we don’t need his “little” man mentality. He showed what kind of a person he is…petty, childish and not all that smart.
Bravo Rubio kick butt