Colombian President Gustavo Petro is calling on his compatriots working without legal status in the United States to leave their jobs and return to Colombia.

(Reuters) -Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Friday urged undocumented Colombians in the United States to quit their jobs "immediately" and return to Colombia. He added in a post on X that the Department of Social Prosperity would offer credits to returnees who enroll in its programs.

A simmering diplomatic stand-off over deportation flights spilled onto social media Sunday, threatening the once close relationship between the US and Colombia and further exposing the anxiety many feel in Latin America towards a second Trump presidency.

Rift between US and Colombia, threats of tariffs on Mexico, designs on Panama Canal and mass deportations could encourage closer ties with Beijing