Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum during her daily morning press conference on Monday, Jan. 27. Photo: Presidencia

By KELIN DILLON

During her daily morning press conference on Monday, Jan. 27, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (CSP) expressed her contentment that U.S. President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro reached an agreement after a brief political scuffle over deportation and tariffs – and gave insight into Mexico’s participation in the emergency meeting called by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) for Jan. 30.

The situation arose when Petro refused to accept two U.S. military planes filled with deported migrants into Colombia on Sunday, Jan. 26, that he had previously approved, prompting Trump to implement 25 percent tariffs on Colombian goods and revoking the U.S. visas of members of the Petro administration.

“We will not allow the Colombian government to violate its obligations regarding the acceptance and return of the criminals they forced into the United States!” said Trump at the time, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealing that Petro withdrew his acceptance of the migrants while the planes were in midair.

After 18 hours of back and forth, Petro acquiesced to Trump’s terms, “including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returning from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitations or delays,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Leavitt continued that the Trump administration will maintain restrictions on Colombian diplomatic visas and increase inspections of the country’s goods.

For her part, Sheinbaum praised the deal between the United States and Colombia at Monday’s press conference.

“We think it is good that the Colombian government and the United States government have finally reached an agreement,” said CSP. “Neither tariffs nor other mechanisms are good.”

“Last night, I understand, an agreement was reached between both governments and that is good because dialogue and respect must prevail, which is what Mexico has sought in the relationship with the United States,” continued the Mexican federal executive.

As per the upcoming emergency session of the CELAC, which CELAC President Xiomara Castro de Zelaya called following the U.S.-Colombian conflict, Sheinbaum remained coy about whether she or a Mexican would attend the meeting, though she confirmed Mexico’s participation.