TodayPrice

Category: International

  • Trump’s bid to take over Gaza ‘very surprising’ – UN

    Trump’s bid to take over Gaza ‘very surprising’ – UN

    The head of the UN refugee agency voiced consternation Wednesday at President Donald Trump’s shock proposal for the United States to take over the Gaza Strip and resettle its people.

    Filippo Grandi, the United Nations’ high commissioner for refugees, told AFP in an interview in Brussels it was not “clear” what the idea entailed, which made it difficult to comment on such a “sensitive issue”.

    “It’s something very surprising, but we have to see what it means in concrete terms,” Grandi said.

    Trump made his announcement to audible gasps on Tuesday during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he was hosting at the White House for talks.

    In a proposal that lacked details, Trump said he would make the war-battered enclave “unbelievable” by removing unexploded bombs and rubble, and economically redeveloping it.

    Grandi also said his agency, the UNHCR, was in the process of “renegotiating” US support after Washington announced a sweeping freeze of most US aid.

    “All of this is very fluid at the moment, which is a problem, because we are an organisation that cannot wait too long,” Grandi said.

    The US currently. accounted for up to 40 percent of all contributions received by the UNHCR, he said.

  • China imposes 15% tarrifs on US coal, LNG

    China imposes 15% tarrifs on US coal, LNG

    China will introduce tariffs of 15 per cent on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) products and coal from the United States in response to US tariffs.

    The Ministry of Finance in Beijing announced on Tuesday.

    According to the ministry, a 10 per cent tariff will also be applied to oil and agricultural machinery imported from the U.S., in measures set to come into force on February 10.

    In addition, Beijing announced an antitrust investigation into U.S. technology giant Google.

    U.S tariffs of 10 per cent on all Chinese imports were due to take effect shortly after midnight on Tuesday Washington time (0500 GMT), after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the measures on Saturday.

    U.S tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, also announced by Trump on Saturday, were suspended for a month shortly before they were due to kick in following agreements between the U.S. and its two neighbors. There was initially no such agreement with China.

    Earlier on Monday, Trump did say that talks with the Chinese side would take place within 24 hours.

    Trump won November’s presidential election promising to slap high tariffs on foreign goods. He previously implemented a number of duties during his first term tenure from 2017 to 2021.

  • Netanyahu to meet Trump as Israel, Hamas eye Gaza truce talks

    Netanyahu to meet Trump as Israel, Hamas eye Gaza truce talks

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet President Donald Trump on Tuesday, as Israel and Hamas say they are ready for negotiations on a new phase in their fragile Gaza ceasefire.

    Netanyahu, the first foreign leader to visit the White House since Trump returned to power last month, will discuss the truce’s future and efforts to end the Gaza war.

    Hours before their meeting, Netanyahu’s office said Israel would send a delegation to the Qatari capital Doha later this week for negotiations.

    “Israel is preparing for the working-level delegation to leave for Doha at the end of this week in order to discuss technical details related to the continued implementation of the agreement,” the office said in a statement following meetings in Washington between Netanyahu and Trump’s advisors, including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

    Hamas has said it is ready to negotiate the second stage of the ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.

    The next phase aims to secure the release of remaining hostages and lay out steps toward ending the war, which has devastated the Palestinian territory of 2.4 million people.

    countries such as Egypt or Jordan, despite all those parties strongly rejecting his proposal.

    Before leaving for Washington, Netanyahu said Israel’s wars with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and its confrontations with Iran had “redrawn the map” in the Middle East.

    “But I believe that working closely with President Trump we can redraw it even further, and for the better,” he said.

    The White House meeting promises to be a crucial one for a region shattered by war since Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel.

    Netanyahu hailed the fact he would be the first foreign leader to meet Trump since his January 20 inauguration as “testimony to the strength of the Israeli-American alliance.”

    The Israeli prime minister had tense relations with Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden over the growing death toll in Gaza, despite Biden’s steadfast maintenance of US military aid.

    But Trump, who has claimed credit for sealing the ceasefire after 15 months of war and prides himself on his dealmaking ability, will be pushing Netanyahu to stick to the agreement.

    He is also expected to lean on Netanyahu to accept a deal to normalise relations with Saudi Arabia, something he tried to do in his first term.

    Trump said Sunday that talks with Israel and other Middle Eastern countries were “progressing” — but then warned less than 24 hours later that there that were “no guarantees that the peace is going to hold.”

    – Unrest in West Bank –

    Witkoff — who met Netanyahu on Monday over terms for the second phase of the truce — said however that he was “certainly hopeful” the truce would stick.

    Trump’s sudden floating of a plan to move people out of Gaza — which he describes as a “demolition site” — has added uncertainty to an already tense and difficult situation.

    Trump said the plan could be temporary or permanent, but the mass displacement of civilians from Gaza was strongly rejected by Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinians and ceasefire mediator Qatar.

    Under the Gaza ceasefire’s ongoing 42-day first phase, Hamas is to free 33 hostages in staggered releases in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

    Four hostage-prisoner exchanges have already taken place, and militants have freed 18 hostages so far in exchange of some 600 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

    The truce has also led to a surge of food, fuel, medical and other aid into rubble-strewn Gaza, as well as allowing displaced Gazans to return to the territory’s north.

    Hamas’s attack resulted in the deaths of 1,210 people on Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

    Israel’s retaliatory response has killed at least 47,518 people in Gaza, the majority civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry. The UN considers these figures as reliable.

    Israel has turned its focus to the occupied West Bank and an operation it says is aimed at rooting out extremism that has killed dozens.

    On Tuesday, the military said its forces killed an assailant who fired on troops near the city of Jenin in the West Bank.

    – ‘No guarantees’ –

    The war broke out after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.

  • Trump’s HIV funding freeze

    Trump’s HIV funding freeze

    The announcement by President Donald Trump to cut funding for international HIV/AIDS initiatives, including those targeting Nigeria and other low and middle-income countries, sent ripples across the world. A week later, on January 28, 2025, the administration granted a waiver for essential medicines and medical services, allowing the global HIV treatment programme to continue.

    The waiver will ensure that Antiretrovirals, ARVs, and medical services supported through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR, can continue to be distributed in Nigeria.

    Currently PEPFAR is the largest donor for HIV treatment in Nigeria, having committed an estimated $7.8 billion in funding covering around 90 per cent of the treatment needs and working closely with the Nigerian government to enhance prevention, treatment, and support for those affected by HIV/AIDS.

    The waiver notwithstanding, the message is clear: The days of dependence on donor funding are numbered. Over the last two decades, various partners, including the U.S. government, have played a crucial role in Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response, especially in maintaining treatment for individuals living with HIV. It is time for Nigeria to take ownership of its own national response.

    Nigeria leads West and Central Africa in the number of people living with HIV, which continues to pose a significant threat. Currently, the country accounts for about 10 per cent of the global HIV burden.

    In 2023, there were 75,000 new infections and 45,000 HIV-related deaths. The number of children born with HIV is still high because the efforts to tackle Mother-To-Child Transmission challenges is just about 35 per cent as against the 75 per cent target.  Nearly 1.7 million children have been orphaned by HIV, highlighting the broader societal impacts of the epidemic. Vulnerable populations, including women and children, are particularly affected, further complicating the problem.

    Nigeria has a national HIV/AIDS response led by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, that is focused on increasing access to testing, treatment, and education as part of this response. Nigeria has seen successes in scaling up antiretroviral therapy, ART, coverage, reaching around 1.9 million Nigerians but challenges persist.  Limited access to healthcare facilities, stigma surrounding the disease, and inadequate awareness campaigns remain stumbling blocks. These challenges must be subdued to ensure that ongoing efforts to combat HIV/AIDS continue effectively.

    The federal government and other stakeholders must take concrete actions to oppose funding cuts. Advocacy campaigns urging lawmakers to protect HIV funding are essential. Grassroots movements can mobilise support and raise awareness about the consequences of such decisions. Exploring viable alternative funding mechanisms is also crucial to mitigating the impact of potential cuts. Increased domestic funding, public-private partnerships and philanthropic initiatives can all help to sustain vital programmes.

    To prevent the Trump administration’s threat to suspend HIV funding from continuing to pose significant risk to public health, Nigeria must act swiftly to safeguard the progress made in HIV prevention and treatment by addressing the issue and ensuring that those affected by HIV in Nigeria continue to receive the care they need and deserve.

  • Nigeria, Africa under pressure as Trump slams tariff on Canada, Mexico, China

    Nigeria, Africa under pressure as Trump slams tariff on Canada, Mexico, China

    NIGERIA and Africa are now facing the reality of imminent shocks to their external sector as President Donald Trump of United States (US) makes good his threats of tough tariff to various economies around the world.

    This comes with retaliatory measures from the affected countries, sparking off a global trade war. The US government will tomorrow, commence implementation of its new tariff regime on imports from Mexico, Canada at the rate of 25% and also China an additional rate of 10%. Canada has already announced a retaliatory rate regime while Mexico said it was also planning to issue tariffs on the U.S. as well.

    China said that it would challenge the tariffs through the World Trade Organization, according to Reuters, claiming that the move “seriously violates” WTO rules. The US Tariff order notes that should any of the three nations “retaliate against the United States” with “import duties” or “similar measures,” the president “may increase or expand in scope the duties imposed under this order to ensure the efficacy of this action.”

    According to the White House, the salvo is aimed at curbing the flow of undocumented immigrants and illicit drugs into the U.S.; spurring a resurgence in domestic manufacturing; and raising federal revenue. In a statement a posted to social media after the announcement, US President, Donald Trump, said the order was issued through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act “because of the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our Citizens, including fentanyl.”

    Canada’s President Trudeau announced that Canada would retaliate by placing 25% tariffs “against $155 billion worth of American goods,” with the first set of tariffs taking effect tomorrow also. He stated: “This will include immediate tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods as of Tuesday, followed by further tariffs on $125 billion worth of American products in 21 days’ time to allow Canadian companies and supply chains to seek to find alternatives,” Trudeau said. And in a statement posted to social media, Mexican President Claudia

    Sheinbaum said she instructed her economic secretary to put together a response that included both retaliatory tariffs and other measures “in defense of Mexico’s interests.” “We categorically reject the defamatory claims made by the White House accusing the Government of Mexico of having alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any attempts to interfere in our territory,” Sheinbaum wrote. Nigeria, Africa For Nigeria and Africa the situation may become more dire as their economies lack internal dynamics to withstand the external pressures. They also have no room to retaliate.

    The Nigerian economy is facing three major trade threats from the Trump trade policies. They include oil glutting by the Trump’s plan to expand domestic production of crude oil, a development which is expected to crash crude oil prices in the international market pushing Nigeria’s economy to tailspin as the economy remains oil dependent. In addition to oil glutting, President Trump last week also said the U.S. will impose tariffs on oil and gas imports.

    “We’re going to put tariffs on oil and gas”, he told reporters in the Oval Office at the weekend. He said he’ll add tariffs on oil and gas imports around February 18, 2025 without citing specific countries. Mr. Trump on Friday also said the time for negotiation has passed, adding that all these tariffs will be stacked on top of any existing tariffs. The president also said he’ll impose additional tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, as well as on copper eventually.

    All the raw materials come from Nigeria and other third world countries.

    AGOA, African shops eclipse

    Trump’s trade policy is also expected to restrict the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) underwhich Nigeria and other African countries have exported their goods to USA at concessionary tariffs over the past 15 years. A renewal was due last year but couldn’t happen because of congressional hiccups and was shifted to this year. Unfortunately Trump has already indicated that he was not favorably disposed towards

    Consequently, the window is effectively closed. With this comes the clamp down on a business category called “African Shops” in the USA said to be worth over $15 billion annual revenue. The shops trade and stock products from Africa, mainly agricultural food items with Nigeria accounting for the majority of the sources of the items in the shops across USA. For now Nigeria and other African countries have not figured out any response to these developments in the USA.

  • Musk brands USAID as ‘criminal organization’ amid row

    Musk brands USAID as ‘criminal organization’ amid row

    Elon Musk attacked the US Agency for International Development on Sunday, calling it a “criminal organization” after Donald Trump moved to freeze the bulk of Washington’s foreign assistance for three months.

    The Trump administration has since issued waivers for food and other humanitarian aid. But aid workers say uncertainty reigns — and that the impact is already being felt by some of the world’s most vulnerable.

    Trump has tasked Musk with cutting the government workforce and slashing what the Republican calls waste and unnecessary spending under the guise of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is now reportedly taking aim at USAID.

    “USAID is a criminal organization,” Musk wrote on his X platform, replying to a video alleging USAID involvement in “rogue CIA work” and “internet censorship.”

    In a subsequent post, Musk doubled down and, without giving evidence, asked his 215 million X followers, “Did you know that USAID, using YOUR tax dollars, funded bioweapon research, including Covid-19, that killed millions of people?”

    He did not elaborate on the allegations, which officials in the previous administration linked to a Russian disinformation campaign.

    There have been reports Trump wants to roll USAID into the State Department. His team did not respond to AFP calls for comment.

    USAID’s account on X had been disabled, AFP confirmed, and the agency’s website was still offline.

    USAID, an independent agency established by an act of Congress, manages a budget of $42.8 billion meant for humanitarian relief and development assistance around the world.

    Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has criticized the “total destruction” of the agency.

    CNN reported that two senior security officials at USAID were put on forced leave after they barred staff from Musk’s DOGE from accessing classified documents as part of their sprawling effort to inspect the government’s books.

    The two DOGE representatives also wanted to access staff files and security systems at USAID’s headquarters, the broadcaster reported, citing multiple sources.

  • Trump calls again for Canada to become ’51st state’

    Trump calls again for Canada to become ’51st state’

    President Donald Trump on Sunday called again for Canada to become a US state, heightening tensions further with one of his country’s closest allies after hitting it with heavy tariffs.

    While claiming the United States pays “hundreds of billions of dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada,” apparently referring to the US trade deficit with its neighbor, Trump said “without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country.”

    “Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State,” he wrote on his Truth social media platform, claiming the move would bring “much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!”

  • Trump says Americans may feel ‘pain’ from tariffs but will be ‘worth the price’

    Trump says Americans may feel ‘pain’ from tariffs but will be ‘worth the price’

    President Donald Trump announced broad tariffs Saturday on major US trading partners Canada, Mexico and China, claiming a “major threat” from illegal immigration and drugs — a move that sparked promises of retaliation.

    Canadian and Mexican exports to the United States will face a 25 percent tariff starting Tuesday, although energy resources from Canada will have a lower 10 percent levy.

    Goods from China, which already face various rates of duties, will see an additional 10 percent tariff.

    Trump’s orders also suspended exemptions allowing low-value imports from the three countries to enter the US duty-free.

    The announcement threatens upheaval across supply chains, from energy to automobiles to food.

    Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act in imposing the tariffs, with the White House saying “the extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl, constitutes a national emergency.”

    The aim is to hold all three countries “accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country,” the White House added.

    China’s commerce ministry said in a statement it would take “corresponding countermeasures” and file a claim against Washington at the World Trade Organization

    Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that her country would impose retaliatory tariffs.

    Sheinbaum said she had told her economy minister “to implement Plan B that we have been working on, which includes tariff and non-tariff measures in defense of Mexico’s interests.”

    Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — who spoke with Sheinbaum — separately said his country would hit back with 25 percent levies of its own on select American goods worth Can$155 billion (US$106.6 billion), with a first round on Tuesday followed by a second one in three weeks.

    We’re certainly not looking to escalate. But we will stand up for Canada, for Canadians, for Canadian jobs,” he said, as he warned of a fracture in longstanding Canada-US ties.

    British Columbia Premier David Eby announced that his province would specifically retaliate against “red” US states led by members of Trump’s Republican Party.

    Trump has repeatedly expressed his approval of tariffs as a policy measure, and has signaled that Saturday’s action could be the first volley in further trade conflicts to come.

    This week, he also pledged to impose future duties on the European Union.

    He has also promised tariffs on semiconductors, steel, aluminum, oil and gas.

    “Tariffs are a powerful, proven source of leverage for protecting the national interest,” the White House said.

    – ‘Opening salvo’ –

    “The tariff action announced today makes clear that our friends, neighbors and Free Trade Agreement partners are in the line of fire,” said Wendy Cutler, vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute and a former US trade negotiator.

    “The move today is an opening salvo on the tariff front,” she told AFP.

    Economic integration between the United States, Mexico and Canada — who share a trade pact — means stiff tariffs will have “a strong and immediate impact” in all three countries, she said.

    Imposing sweeping tariffs on the three biggest US trading partners in goods carries risks for Trump, who won November’s election partly due to public dissatisfaction over the economy.

    Higher import costs would likely “dampen consumer spending and business investment,” said EY chief economist Gregory Daco.

    He expects inflation would rise by 0.7 percentage points in the first quarter this year with the tariffs in place, before gradually easing.

    “Rising trade policy uncertainty will heighten financial market volatility and strain the private sector, despite the administration’s pro-business rhetoric,” he said.

    Economists also expect growth to take a hit.

    Trump’s supporters have downplayed fears that tariffs would fuel inflation, with some suggesting his planned tax cuts and deregulation measures could boost growth instead.

    – ‘Drive up costs’ –

    Doug Ford, premier of Canada’s economic engine Ontario, warned of potential job losses and a slowdown in business with tariffs.

    He told CNN Saturday: “We’re going to stand up for what’s right.”

    US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has warned new tariffs could “further drive up costs for American

    consumers.”

    Canada and Mexico are major suppliers of US agricultural products.

    The tariffs are also expected to hit the auto industry hard, since automakers and suppliers produce components throughout the region.

    Analysts have warned that hiking import taxes on crude oil from countries like Canada and Mexico threaten US energy prices too.

    Nearly 60 percent of US crude oil imports are from Canada, according to a Congressional Research Service report.

  • Trump slams tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China

    Trump slams tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China

    President Donald Trump announced broad tariffs Saturday on major US trading partners Canada, Mexico and China, claiming a “major threat” from illegal immigration and drugs — a move that sparked promises of retaliation.

    Canadian and Mexican exports to the United States will face a 25 percent tariff starting Tuesday, although energy resources from Canada will have a lower 10 percent levy.

    Goods from China, which already face various rates of duties, will see an additional 10 percent tariff.

    Trump’s orders also suspended exemptions allowing low-value imports from the three countries to enter the US duty-free.

    The announcement threatens upheaval across supply chains, from energy to automobiles to food.

    Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act in imposing the tariffs, with the White House saying “the extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl, constitutes a national emergency.”

    The aim is to hold all three countries “accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country,” the White House added.

    China’s commerce ministry said in a statement it would take “corresponding countermeasures” and file a claim against Washington at the World Trade Organization.

    Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that her country would impose retaliatory tariffs.

    Sheinbaum said she had told her economy minister “to implement Plan B that we have been working on, which includes tariff and non-tariff measures in defense of Mexico’s interests.”

    Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — who spoke with Sheinbaum — separately said his country would hit back with 25 percent levies of its own on select American goods worth Can$155 billion (US$106.6 billion), with a first round on Tuesday followed by a second one in three weeks.

    “We’re certainly not looking to escalate. But we will stand up for Canada, for Canadians, for Canadian jobs,” he said, as he warned of a fracture in longstanding Canada-US ties.

    British Columbia Premier David Eby announced that his province would specifically retaliate against “red” US states led by members of Trump’s Republican Party.

    Trump has repeatedly expressed his approval of tariffs as a policy measure, and has signaled that Saturday’s action could be the first volley in further trade conflicts to come.

    This week, he also pledged to impose future duties on the European Union.

    He has also promised tariffs on semiconductors, steel, aluminum, oil and gas.

    “Tariffs are a powerful, proven source of leverage for protecting the national interest,” the White House said.

    – ‘Opening salvo’ –

    “The tariff action announced today makes clear that our friends, neighbors and Free Trade Agreement partners are in the line of fire,” said Wendy Cutler, vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute and a former US trade negotiator.

    “The move today is an opening salvo on the tariff front,” she told AFP.

    Economic integration between the United States, Mexico and Canada — who share a trade pact — means stiff tariffs will have “a strong and immediate impact” in all three countries, she said.

    Imposing sweeping tariffs on the three biggest US trading partners in goods carries risks for Trump, who won November’s election partly due to public dissatisfaction over the economy.

    Higher import costs would likely “dampen consumer spending and business investment,” said EY chief economist Gregory Daco.

    He expects inflation would rise by 0.7 percentage points in the first quarter this year with the tariffs in place, before gradually easing.

    “Rising trade policy uncertainty will heighten financial market volatility and strain the private sector, despite the administration’s pro-business rhetoric,” he said.

    Economists also expect growth to take a hit.

    Trump’s supporters have downplayed fears that tariffs would fuel inflation, with some suggesting his planned tax cuts and deregulation measures could boost growth instead.

    – ‘Drive up costs’ –

    Doug Ford, premier of Canada’s economic engine Ontario, warned of potential job losses and a slowdown in business with tariffs.

    He told CNN Saturday: “We’re going to stand up for what’s right.”

    US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has warned new tariffs could “further drive up costs for American consumers.”

    Canada and Mexico are major suppliers of US agricultural products.

    The tariffs are also expected to hit the auto industry hard, since automakers and suppliers produce components throughout the region.

    Analysts have warned that hiking import taxes on crude oil from countries like Canada and Mexico threaten US energy prices too.

    Nearly 60 percent of US crude oil imports are from Canada, according to a Congressional Research Service report.

  • Trump’s crackdown: FG to receive Nigerian deportees as non-Americans are deported in handcuffs

    Trump’s crackdown: FG to receive Nigerian deportees as non-Americans are deported in handcuffs

    As reactions continue to trail the planned deportation of about 5, 144 Nigerians illegally living in the United States (US), the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has said that the Federal Government is ready to welcome them home.

    According to reports, no fewer than 5,144 Nigerians may be affected in the initial stage of the ongoing deportation exercises from the US as President Donald Trump’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants continues.

    The figure includes non-US citizens of Nigerian origin in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, and Enforcement and Removal Operations, ERO, non-detained docket with final orders of removal from the US and those already in ICE detention.

    According to the data, 772 of the 1,454 Nigerians in ICE custody were arrested and detained for criminal convictions or pending criminal charges, while the rest were arrested for other immigration violations, such as visa overstays.

    It further showed that 417 were arrested and removed as of November 2024, while 884 were removed between 2019 and 2024.

    The disclosure by ICE comes at a time when the newly inaugurated administration of President Trump is implementing an immigration policy aimed at ridding the United States of illegal immigrants.

    There have been issues surrounding the deportations with at least three countries, Mexico, Columbia and Brazil, alleging that their nationals were returned home in a degrading manner and there are fears the treatment could be extended to Nigerian deportees.

    Columbia specifically said the deportees to the country were airlifted in military planes, handcuffed and treated like criminals.

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the military deportation flights and said he would never carry out a raid to return handcuffed Americans to the U.S.

    “We are the opposite of the Nazis,” he wrote in a post on social media platform X.

    He also said however that Colombia would welcome home deported migrants on civilian planes, and offered his presidential plane to facilitate their “dignified return”.

    Trump had threatened tariffs and sanctions on Colombia to punish it for earlier refusing to accept military flights carrying the deportees as part of his sweeping immigration crackdown.

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

    The use of U.S. military aircraft to carry out deportation flights is unusual.

    U.S. military aircraft carried out two flights, each with about 80 migrants, to Guatemala penultimate Friday.
    Mexico also refused a request to let a U.S. military aircraft land with migrants.

    Trump has said he is thinking about imposing 25% duties on imports from Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1 to force further action against illegal immigrants and fentanyl flowing into the US.

    Brazil’s foreign ministry, on its part, condemned “degrading treatment” of Brazilians after migrants were handcuffed on a commercial deportation flight.

    Upon arrival, some passengers also reported mistreatment during the flight, according to reports.

    The plane, which was carrying 88 Brazilian passengers, 16 U.S. security agents, and eight crew members, had been originally scheduled to arrive in Belo Horizonte in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais.

    However, at an unscheduled stop due to technical problems in Manaus, capital of Amazonas, Brazilian officials ordered removal of the handcuffs, and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva designated a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) flight to complete their journey, the government said in a statement.

    The commercial charter flight was the second this year from the U.S. carrying undocumented migrants deported back to Brazil and the first since Trump’s inauguration, according to Brazil’s federal police.
    Speaking to Sunday Vanguard, Chairman/CEO NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri, restated to Sunday Vanguard the position of the Director of Media and Corporate Affairs of the commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, who spoke earlier to Vanguard on Wednesday.

    She said, “Except you want to interview the Minister of Foreign Affairs for his own perspective. NiDCOM Director of Media and Corporate Affairs, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, already told Vanguard that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in charge of such development and that the Federal Government had already set up an inter-agency committee to handle the matter should Nigerians be deported from the US.

    “The Federal Government has set up an inter-agency committee, comprising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, should there be mass deportation of Nigerians from the US”, she said.

    Also reacting to the development, a former Nigerian Ambassador to the US, Ambassador Joe Keshi, insisted that if the President Tinubu-led government decides to improve the economy, the Japa syndrome would reduce drastically and people would decide to stay back in their country.

    He said, “There’s no way it can affect our economy. If the Federal Government improves the economy, people will stay; it’s just the family they have been sending money to that would suffer because they won’t have the money they used to have before. Unless they find another means of survival.”