After Trump imposes 25% tariffs, Rubio issues travel sanctions & pauses vsia

Amid the tensions between the United States and Colombia, US Senator Marco Rubio ordered the American embassy in the Latin American nation to suspend visa issuance. The order came after Colombia blocked the deportation flights that were arriving in the country from the United States. On Sunday, the State Department issued a statement on the matter.

“The State Department will continue to enforce and prioritize an America First agenda. Following President Petro’s refusal to accept two repatriation flights he previously authorized, Secretary Rubio immediately ordered a suspension of visa issuance at the US Embassy Bogota consular section,” the State Department said in the statement.

Apart from this, Rubio also authorised travel sanctions on those individuals and their families who were “responsible for the interference of US repatriation flight operations.” The State Department made it clear that these measures will continue until Colombia meets its obligation.

Rubio slammed the South American nation for refusing to admit its own citizens within the country. “America will not back down when it comes to defending its national security interests,” the State Department statement reads. Washington was left completely shocked after Colombian President Gustavo Petro denied entry to US military deportation flights.

The tariff war that ensued between the US and Colombia

Petro’s decision to take a U-turn over the matter garnered condemnation and anger from US President Donald Trump. After Petro’s refusal, Trump said that he would impose 25 per cent tariffs and sanctions on Colombia.

The POTUS noted that the tariffs will be imposed “on all goods” coming into the US from Colombia. He noted that his order would be put in place “immediately”, and in one week the 25 per cent tariffs would be raised to 50 per cent. Petro responded to Trump’s latest order by saying he would impose retaliatory tariffs of 25 per cent on the US.

The Colombian leader emphasised that one of the major reasons why he was refusing the take in the refuge was because they were seeing on a military aircraft. He emphasised that the country would “receive our fellow citizens on civilian planes, without treating them like criminals” and migrants must be returned with dignity and respect."

It is pertinent to note that two American military planes from San Diego were due to land in Colombia on Sunday with migrant deportees. However, those two planes were scrapped due to complications.

In response to this, Trump said that there would be visa sanctions on supporters of the Colombian government, and enhanced Customs and Border Protection inspections “of all Colombian nationals and cargo on national security grounds”. It remains unclear, exactly how long the tussle between the two nations will continue.

With inputs from agencies.