Colombian migrants returning home described being shackled "like criminals," during earlier U.S. flights that were blocked by Colombia's president, Gustavo Petro, amid a standoff with President Donald Trump that almost led to a trade war. Newsweek has reached out to the Colombian Foreign Ministry for comment via email.

The South American country initially refused to accept US military flights deporting Colombian nationals, a decision that drew Donald Trump’s anger last weekend

WASHINGTON: The White House said Sunday (Jan 26) that Colombia backed down and agreed to accept repatriated citizens on military flights, after President Donald Trump threatened major sanctions.

The White House on Sunday said it would hold off on the tariffs, saying Colombia had "agreed to all of President Trump's terms."

Trump threatened trade war with Colombia after President Gustavo Petro refuses deportation of Colombians without 'dignified treatment'

Colombia backed down in a dispute over flights of deported migrants after the new US president threatened to impose steep tariffs.

Shortly after last November’s election, Trump threatened China, Mexico, and Canada with 10% and 25% tariffs, respectively.

For a fleeting moment, it looked like going after Trump was a political risk Colombian President Gustavo Petro was willing to take. But all his rhetoric was for naught.

The move followed a dispute between President Trump and President Gustavo Petro over deportation flights that nearly turned into a costly trade war between both countries.

President Donald Trump announced retaliatory measures against Colombia after the country refused to accept deportation flights of Colombian migrants.

The Government of Colombia, under the direction of President Gustavo Petro, has arranged the presidential plane to facilitate the dignified return of the compatriots.”