Colombia's president calls Trump 'white slaver' after US deports migrants in shackles

In a strongly worded statement, Colombian President Gustavo Petro lashed out at U.S. President Donald Trump, calling Trump a "white slave trader" and accusing him of "destroying humanity." This came after Petro refused to receive two military aircraft carrying deported migrants who were handcuffed and shackled by U.S. authorities.

Petro's initial refusal sparked a potential trade war from Trump, who threatened a 25% tariff on all Colombian imports, potentially rising to 50%. A resolution was eventually reached, with Colombia stating that U.S. military personnel would not be on deportation flights, and that military aircraft would only be used as a last resort. Petro stated that he would never accept Colombians being returned to their country in handcuffs.

Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo stated that Petro's planes were ready to receive Colombians deported from the United States, and that the country would "continue receiving deported Colombians, guaranteeing them dignified treatment." Meanwhile, the Trump administration dropped its tariff threats.

Despite the agreement, Petro posted a lengthy message on X (formerly Twitter) directed at the new U.S. President. "I don't like your oil, Trump, you are destroying humanity because of greed," Petro said. "You don't like our freedom, fine. I won't shake hands with a white slave trader." Petro added that if the U.S. imposed tariffs on Colombia, Bogota would take reciprocal measures.

"You can try to stage a coup with your economic power and arrogance, as they did to Allende. But I will stand by my law, I have resisted torture and I will resist you," Petro said, referring to former Chilean socialist president Salvatore Allende, who was overthrown with U.S. assistance. In a statement, the White House said that Colombia agreed to all of Trump's terms, including “unrestricted reception of all illegal Colombian migrants returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without restrictions or delays.”

“Today’s events show the world that the United States is respected once again,” the White House stated. The Trump administration took office last week and issued several sweeping immigration-related executive orders aimed at stopping people from entering the U.S. from its southern border. Trump has also threatened to use tariffs against several countries, including U.S. neighbors Canada and Mexico, as well as global competitor China. The U.S. president believes that imposing high tariffs on trade with other countries will increase government revenue and help reduce the country's current $36 trillion national debt.