President Gustavo Petro calls on undocumented Colombians in U.S. to come back to Colombia

JAMES MEYERS FROM OAN

Colombian President Gustavo Petro pleaded for undocumented Colombians in the United States to quit their jobs “immediately” and return back to the South American country, according to a statement he posted on X Friday morning.

Petro also said in the post that Colombia’s Department of Social Prosperity would offer credits to returnees who enroll in its programs. “Let’s build social wealth in Colombia,” the statement read, translated from Spanish.

The plea comes only days after Petro gave into President Donald Trump’s request to accept flights of undocumented migrants from the U.S. after Trump threatened to impose emergency tariffs of up to 50% against Colombia for refusing to cooperate.

Following the threat of tariffs, Petro doubled down by even offering up the official Colombian presidential plane to help shuttle migrants back to the country, calling it a response to “the Government’s commitment to guarantee decent conditions.”