BOGOTA/WASHINGTON, Jan 27 (Reuters) - President Gustavo Petro of Colombia managed to avert an economic disaster at the last minute following diplomatic negotiations with the U.S. on deportation flights. However, the Colombian business community called for calm on Monday as citizens expressed frustration over canceled U.S. visa appointments.
The U.S. President had initially threatened tariffs and sanctions against Colombia for refusing military deportee flights. Yet, the White House announced on Sunday that Colombia had agreed to accept the deportees, leading to the withdrawal of possible penalties. Colombia's Foreign Minister, Luis Gilberto Murillo, confirmed the country's readiness to transport the deportees.
Colombia's ambassador to the U.S., Daniel Garcia-Pena, played a crucial role in resolving the dispute late at night after intense discussions, according to a Colombian foreign office source.
In a televised statement, Garcia-Pena framed the resolution as a win for Colombia: "There was a win-win here. The United States withdrew the threat of tariffs, and Colombia ensured dignified treatment for its citizens."
Regarding Trump's response to the situation, a White House source indicated that other countries should take note of the need to accept repatriation flights. The source emphasized, "The United States is simply sending back the criminals that Colombia sent to the United States."
Petro's criticism of military deportations, equating them to criminal treatment, sparked more tension with Trump compared to similar issues with Mexico and Brazil. The conflict between the two leaders played out on social media platforms.
The potential measures announced by Trump, such as hefty tariffs and sanctions, were seen as having a significant negative impact on the Colombian economy. Bruce Mac Master, president of the business association ANDI, expressed concerns about the consequences and highlighted better handling of similar issues by leaders in Brazil and Mexico.
Following the agreement, the Colombian foreign ministry announced that an air force plane was en route to San Diego, California, to repatriate 110 Colombian deportees, with additional flights planned.
The cancellation of U.S. visa appointments in Bogota upset many applicants who faced extensive and costly visa procedures. Despite supporting dignified treatment of deportees, individuals like Valentina Forero called for a more diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
The U.S. is a crucial trading partner for Colombia, with bilateral trade worth billions of dollars annually, notably in oil, coal, and coffee exports. The news affected Colombia's currency and economic growth indicators in early trading.