The U.S. has paused sanctions and tariffs on Colombia after its President, Gustavo Petro, agreed to accept deportation flights from the U.S., following prior tensions.

In a statement the White House said, the Government of Colombia had agreed to accept the migrants after all and Washington would not impose its threatened penalties.

Yesterday, President Petro refused to accept deported migrants, calling their treatment inhumane, and offered a presidential plane for their dignified return. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Colombian imports, threatening to raise them to 50 in the upcoming week.

The tension rose between the two nations after Columbia became the first country to reject US deportation flights, sending back Colombians living illegally in the US. Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that his government would not accept two US Air Force flights carrying deported Colombian migrants. Mr Petro alleged that the migrants are being treated as criminals.