The re-inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States of America (USA) has led to drastic changes in immigration policies. Defining illegal immigration as a “national crisis”, Trump has introduced new regulations that accelerate and expand the deportation process.[1] This policy has directly affected diplomatic relations with Latin American countries.
This new policy of the Trump administration has led to serious tensions, especially with countries such as Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela. As the United States began the process of returning illegal immigrants by military aircraft, Latin American countries reacted harshly to these practices. The Trump administration’s deportation operations and international pressure strategies have had significant economic and diplomatic consequences.
The Trump administration has threatened economic sanctions to force the Colombian government to accept its deported citizens. Initially, Colombia opposed the US policy of returning migrants by military aircraft, but the Trump administration announced a 25% tariff and financial sanctions against Colombia.[2] This severely strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. In response, the Colombian government backed down, accepted the Trump administration’s conditions and authorized the deportation flights. In a statement released by the White House, it was stated that Colombia “respects the strength of the United States” and that other countries should do likewise.[3] However, Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized the US sending migrants on military planes, saying that it was unacceptable for its citizens to be treated “like criminals”.[4]
One of the groups most affected by the Trump administration’s harsh immigration policies has been Venezuelan migrants in the US. Trump’s Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that deportations would be accelerated for Venezuelan migrants by abolishing the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) provided under the Biden administration.[5]
Due to tense diplomatic relations with Venezuela, the US administration is not deporting directly to Venezuela. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are looking for alternatives to send these migrants to a third country. Some officials have raised the idea of using a migrant facility at Guantanamo Bay.
This decision directly affects approximately 600,000 Venezuelan immigrants in the US. Venezuelans who lose their TPS status will no longer have the right to work legally in the United States and risk deportation. This has created great uncertainty among migrants fleeing Venezuela.
The Trump administration’s deportation policy was not limited to Colombia and Venezuela. Brazil has also been directly affected by this process. The methods used by the US in deporting Brazilian migrants led to a diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
Brazil’s Foreign Ministry called the US return of migrants by military aircraft and the deportation of Brazilians in handcuffs “contrary to human dignity”.[6] Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has stated that the migrants were sent from the United States under inhumane conditions and that the Brazilian government will not accept this situation.[7]
In particular, during an intermediate landing in Manaus, Brazilian authorities instructed to uncuff the migrants on board the plane, which increased tensions between the two countries. The Brazilian Government summoned the US Ambassador to protest the situation and stated that it plans to start negotiations with the US.[8]
Trump’s immigration policies have not only led to diplomatic crises, but also have serious economic repercussions. As a country with strong trade relations with the US, losing access to the US market could severely impact its economy. The Trump administration’s threat to impose tariffs, especially given that around 30% of Colombia’s total exports go to the US, forces Colombia to make a deal with the US.[9]
The Brazilian government’s intention to open new negotiations with the Trump administration could be taken as an indication that it wants to preserve its economic ties. On the other hand, the US policy towards migrants from Venezuela could exacerbate the country’s already dire economic and political situation. Venezuelans who cannot go to the United States may turn to countries such as Brazil and Colombia, further exacerbating the migration crisis in the region.
Trump’s deportation policy could not only have economic and diplomatic repercussions, but also change security dynamics in Latin America. The presence of individuals linked to criminal organizations among the deported migrants could strengthen organized crime groups in countries such as Venezuela and Colombia. In particular, criminal organizations such as the Tren de Aragua (TdA) in Venezuela could re-recruit members deported from the US, which could increase violence in the region. In Colombia, too, there is a risk that these migrants may turn to illegal groups or drug cartels. This shows that deportations can have serious consequences, not only diplomatically or economically, but also in terms of security.
Trump’s deportation policies could not only strain relations with Latin American countries, but also damage the US image in the international arena. The United Nations and human rights organizations have criticized the treatment of migrants being deported in handcuffs, while some European countries have argued that these policies may violate international human rights conventions. In particular, the use of military aircraft is seen as a violation of international law towards people seeking refuge from war zones. The continuation of these policies by the US may also create problems in its relations with allied countries and may lead the Trump administration to become more isolated on the global stage.
In conclusion, Trump’s deportation policy has become a crisis that directly affects not only migrants but also the economic and political dynamics of Latin American countries. In the coming period, the regional effects of these policies and the change in US-Latin American relations should be monitored more closely.
[1] Hesson, Ted, and Alexandra Ulmer. “Trump Launches Sweeping Border Crackdown, Mass Deportation Push”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-launches-sweeping-border-crackdown-mass-deportation-push-2025-01-21/, (Accessed Date: 02.11.2025).
[2] Stewart, Phil, and Oliver Griffin. “US, Colombia Reach Deal on Deportations; Tariff, Sanctions Put on Hold”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/colombias-petro-will-not-allow-us-planes-return-migrants-2025-01-26/, (Accessed Date: 02.11.2025).
[3] The White House. Statement from the Press Secretary, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/01/statement-from-the-press-secretary, (Accessed Date: 02.11.2025).
[4] “Strong-Arming Latin America Will Work Until It Doesn’t.”, The Atlantic, https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2025/01/trump-colombia-latin-america/681493/, (Accessed Date: 02.11.2025).
[5] “Trump Opens Door to Earlier Deportation of Many Venezuelans from U.S.”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-administration-ends-extended-protections-venezuelans-us-official-says-2025-01-29/, (Accessed Date: 02.11.2025).
[6] “US Envoy Summoned by Brazil over Deportations as Talks Aim to Hash Out Terms”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-official-summoned-by-brazil-officials-over-deportation-brazilian-migrants-2025-01-27/, (Accessed Date: 02.11.2025).
[7] “Brazil Condemns Handcuffing of Deportees on Flight from US”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazil-condemns-handcuffing-deportees-flight-us-2025-01-26/, (Accessed Date: 02.11.2025).
[8] “Brazil, U.S. Officials Agree to Discuss How Deported Migrants Are Treated”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazil-us-officials-agree-discuss-how-deported-migrants-are-treated-2025-01-30/, (Accessed Date: 02.11.2025).
[9] “La Dependencia Comercial de Colombia Que Queda Expuesta por la Crisis con Estados Unidos”, El País, https://elpais.com/america-colombia/2025-01-28/la-dependencia-comercial-de-colombia-que-queda-expuesta-por-la-crisis-con-estados-unidos.html, (Accessed Date: 02.11.2025).
