For decades, Latin American leaders have cynically used the United States as a dumping ground for their own people.
The Latin American elite tacitly encouraged millions of less well-off citizens to illegally emigrate to the United States.
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Image Credit: Emilio Flores/Anadolu via Getty Images |
That got them out of their home countries, where they would no longer consume resources or cause political problems.
Simultaneously, they were sending remittances back to their home countries.
When they got in trouble in Gringolandia, Latin American leaders could make a great show of defending the poor, persecuted migrants.
It was a profitable scam for Latin American leaders, but it looks like it’s coming to an end.
Donald Trump has only been in office for two weeks, but it’s obvious there’s a new sheriff in town.
The administration is detaining and deporting illegal aliens.
“We are in the process of removing record numbers of illegal aliens from all Countries, and all Countries have agreed to accept these illegal aliens back,” President Trump announced on Feb. 1.
It’s a great example of what the U.S. can accomplish under the right presidential leadership.
Let’s consider the situation in three Latin American countries.
MEXICO
As of Jan. 31, more than 6,000 had been deported to Mexico.
Nine tent camps have been set up in Mexican border cities to receive the deportees.
VENEZUELA
This country probably has one of the worst relationships with the U.S. in the region. But look at the deal they just made with us.
On Jan. 31, Trump’s envoy Richard Grenell met with dictator Nicholas Maduro.
Grenell must be a good negotiator. He convinced Maduro to release six Americans who were imprisoned in the South American country.
Additionally, Maduro agreed to take back Venezuelan illegals, including Tren de Aragua gang members.
What did Venezuela get in return?
“The only award for Maduro was my physical presence, the first senior US official to visit the country in years. It was a big gift to him to have a visit by an envoy of President Trump,” Grenell said.
In other words, Maduro was so glad to get a little attention from Uncle Sam, he just gave us everything we wanted!
COLOMBIA
This was the biggest turnaround of all and shows what firm American leadership can accomplish.
At first, Colombia refused to take back two planeloads of Colombian illegals.
President Gustavo Petro claimed it was because they were being hauled home in military planes, which is somehow undignified. (Hey, our own soldiers travel in those planes!)
Petro demanded the deportees be returned in civilian aircraft, “with dignity and respect for them and for our country.”
“We will receive our fellow citizens on civilian planes, without treating them like criminals,” he declared.
Trump responded by slapping 25% tariffs on Colombia and other penalties.
Three major products Colombia exports to the U.S. are coffee, flowers, and oil. These are good sources of income for Colombia.
But think about it – Petro was willing to sabotage his own country’s economy in defense of illegal aliens who simply had to endure a relatively short flight home.
“These measures are just the beginning. We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States!” Trump stated.
But the tariffs didn’t even need to be enacted. President Petro buckled under – and then offered to send his presidential airplane to pick up deported Colombians!
Eventually, Petro sent two Colombian Air Force planes to the U.S. to return over 200 deportees.
Days later, Presidente Petro was telling Colombian illegals to leave the U.S. and return home.
“I request female Colombians and male Colombians (sounds awkward in Spanish too) without documents in the USA to leave their jobs immediately in that country and return to Colombia as quickly as possible.”
“Wealth is only produced by a working people.”
“The Department of Social Prosperity (DPS) will seek to deliver productive credits to those who return and enroll in their programs.”
“We will construct social wealth in Colombia.”
Sounds like a great plan! And Colombia has Trump to thank for it!