People look at vehicles damaged in an attack on the Pan-American Highway in Cajibio, Colombia, on April 25, 2026, that authorities said killed at least a dozen people and blamed on dissident groups of the former FARC rebels.
| Photo Credit: AP

The White House said Sunday that Colombia backed down and agreed to accept repatriated citizens on military flights, after President Donald Trump threatened major sanctions. There was no immediate confirmation from Colombia to the announcement by the White House, which said it would freeze most plans for tariffs and sanctions on Latin America’s fourth largest economy.

Colombia has agreed to “unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on US military aircraft, without limitation or delay,” a White House statement said.

“Today’s events make clear to the world that America is respected again,” it added.

“President Trump will continue to fiercely protect our nation’s sovereignty, and he expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States.”

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a leftist, had infuriated Trump by refusing to accept military planes of Colombians deported from the United States.

He had earlier said he would take back migrants but “with dignity,” including on civilian planes.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

James Rodriguez in action© X (Twitter)

Colombia avenged their Copa America final defeat with a 2-1 victory over Argentina while Brazil crashed to a 1-0 defeat against Paraguay in South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday. Skipper James Rodriguez buried a nerveless 60th-minute spot-kick to seal a hard-fought win for Colombia over the reigning world champions, who were without injured captain Lionel Messi. It was sweet revenge for Colombia, who were beaten 1-0 by Argentina in a bitterly disappointing Copa America final loss in Miami two months ago.

“I don’t think I’ve ever scored against them — there’s a first time for everything,” Colombia captain Rodriguez said of his winning spot-kick.

“We want to get used to playing finals. Today was just another game, but against a team that has won everything — this victory tastes even better.”

The victory at Barranquilla’s Metropolitano Stadium lifted Colombia into second place in South America’s 10-team qualifying competition with 16 points from eight points, just two points behind leaders Argentina.

Colombia, backed by a passionate home crowd, took the lead in the 25th minute when Rodriguez chipped a cross to the back post where Yerson Mosquera rose to head home.

But three minutes after the interval, the visitors drew level when a misplaced pass from Rodriguez was pounced upon by Nicolas Gonzalez, who raced away and slotted past advancing Colombia keeper Camilo Vargas.

Twelve minutes later, though, Colombia restored their lead in controversial fashion.

Nicolas Otamendi clattered Daniel Munoz with a wild challenge and after several minutes, Chilean referee Piero Maza was sent to the VAR monitor and awarded a penalty.

Rodriguez stepped up and confidently slotted home, sending Argentina’s penalty specialist Emiliano Martinez the wrong way.

Colombia striker Jhon Duran missed a great chance to make it 3-1 when he was found unmarked in the centre of the box but fired straight at Martinez.

Brazil stumble

Despite the defeat, Argentina remain comfortably on course for a place at the 2026 World Cup which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

With the tournament expanded to 48 teams, the top six finishers in South American qualifying will win a berth to the finals. 

The seventh placed team in qualifying goes into an inter-confederation playoff, with the bottom three teams eliminated.

Five-time world champions Brazil meanwhile continued their unconvincing qualifying campaign with a 1-0 defeat against Paraguay in Asuncion.

Inter Miami midfielder Diego Gomez — who is reportedly due to join Premier League side Brighton at the end of the season — scored the game’s only goal, crashing a long-range shot in off the post in the 20th minute.

The defeat leaves Brazil in fifth place in the standings on 10 points, leading by goal difference from Venezuela, who drew 0-0 at home to Uruguay on Tuesday.

Paraguay meanwhile moved into seventh place on nine points after just their second win of the qualifying campaign.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Chile’s hopes of qualifying suffered another body blow after they slumped to a 2-1 loss at home to Bolivia.

After winning back-to-back Copa Americas in 2015 and 2016, the Chileans failed to qualify for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

The prospect of missing out on a third straight tournament loomed closer after goals from Carmelo Algaranaz and Miguel Terceros handed Bolivia a 2-1 win.

The victory left Chile languishing in ninth place in the standings with just five points from eight games as Bolivia climbed into eighth, trailing seventh-placed Paraguay on goal difference.

Ecuador meanwhile boosted their qualification hopes with a 1-0 win over Peru in Quito thanks to a goal from veteran striker Enner Valencia.

Ecuador sit in fourth place in the standings with 11 points from eight games. Peru remain bottom of the table with just three points from 10 games.

Darwin Nunez exchanged punches with fighting fans during a chaotic end to the game.© AFP

FIFA said on Wednesday it was opening an investigation into racist chants by Argentina players after they won the Copa America. “FIFA is aware of a video circulating on social media and the incident is being looked into,” a spokesperson for world football’s governing body said. They added: “FIFA strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans and officials.” The chants were heard during a live video posted on social media by Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from the team bus in the wake of the Copa victory over Colombia in Miami on Sunday.

Some players, including 23-year-old Fernandez, sing a chant dating back to the 2022 World Cup final in which Argentina beat France.

The song targets France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe among others and includes racist and homophobic insults.

Chelsea had earlier announced they had launched an internal disciplinary procedure against Fernandez over the incident.

Fernandez has apologised and the club said in a statement it had launched an “internal disciplinary procedure”.

“Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable,” it added.

“We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate.”

Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica for a Premier League record fee of 105 million pounds ($136.8 million) in 2023, said in his apology: “The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words.

“I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.”

Javier Mascherano, the coach of Argentina’s Olympic football team, said he felt the video had been “taken out of context” as he sprang to the defence of Fernandez.

“Argentines, if there’s one thing we’re not, it’s racists, far from that,” said Mascherano.

“I know Enzo, he’s a great guy. He doesn’t have any problems like that,” insisted the former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder.

“Often, as part of a celebration, you can take part of a video and take it out of context.

“If there’s one thing we are as a country, it’s a totally inclusive country. People from all over the world live in Argentina and we treat them as they should be treated.”

The French Football Federation (FFF) complained to FIFA about the chants on Monday.

FFF president Philippe Diallo “condemned with the greatest firmness the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks made against players of the France team”.

France beat Argentina in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup.

Hard Rock Stadium defended the security measures in place for Sunday’s Copa America final after CONMEBOL accused the venue of ignoring advice that might have prevented the chaotic incidents that held up the game. The showpiece final between Colombia and Argentina at the Miami venue was delayed by 82 minutes as overwhelmed security struggled to get fans inside after ticketless fans rushed the entry points. CONMEBOL, the governing body for football in South America, suggested that local organizers had failed to follow suggested procedures such as setting up an outer perimeter to screen ticketless fans.

“We regret that the acts of violence produced by malicious people have tarnished a final that was ready to be a great celebration of sport,” CONMEBOL said in their statement, adding that CONMEBOL “was subject to the decisions made by the Hard Rock Stadium authorities, according to the contractual responsibilities established for security operations.”

Stadium officials said Tuesday that security measures were jointly decided by the venue, CONMEBOL and local law enforcement.

“Hard Rock Stadium has safely hosted hundreds of world-class events in its 37-year history, including Super Bowls, major international soccer matches, Formula 1, NFL and college football, headline concert tours and other global events,” management of the venue said in a statement.

“In each of those, security was a joint effort amongst the organizer, local law enforcement agencies and the venue.

“As we’ve previously said, Hard Rock Stadium worked collaboratively with CONMEBOL, CONCACAF and local law enforcement agencies on security both leading up to and during the Copa America tournament.

“The agencies met regularly, including daily security briefings throughout the month-long tournament. Hard Rock Stadium implemented, and in many cases exceeded, CONMEBOL’s security recommendations throughout the tournament and the Final.”

The disturbing scenes before the final, won 1-0 by Argentina, immediately raised concerns for the 2026 World Cup which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Local police, overwhelmed by the situation despite the presence of 800 officers, said they detained 27 people and ejected 55 others from the venue.

It wasn’t the only concerning security incident during the tournament.

On Wednesday, Uruguay players were involved in a brawl with Colombian fans in the stands after their 1-0 semi-final defeat in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Colombian Football Federation president Ramon Jesurun was arrested in Miami during an incident at Sunday’s Copa America final, according to a police report issued on Monday. A Miami-Dade County police file indicated Jesurun was arrested on charges of “assault on officer/employee” on Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium. There was chaos as spectators stormed the gates at the home of the NFL Miami Dolphins, with people pushed to the ground and people trying to sneak into the stadium through huge air conditioning ducts and the start delayed by 80 minutes.

Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 in the Copa America final with a goal in extra time by Lautaro Martinez.

Jesurun, 71, was not allowed to enter the field with his son and other family members after the contest for the awards ceremony, the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo reported.

Jesurun’s son confronted a security guard who denied them access.

Ni Ramón Jesurun, presidente de la Fedefútbol, se salvó del desastre logístico y de organización de la Copa América. En este video de @FOXSportsMX se ve al dirigente en medio de un altercado con el personal de seguridad. Quizá esta fue la razón de su ausencia en la premiación. pic.twitter.com/pDDOBRtBFy

— WillyRodríguez (@WillyRodri13) July 15, 2024

Jesurun, a vice president of regional governing body CONMEBOL, also participated in the dispute before police officers intervened, according to the newspaper.

Miami-Dade police said in a statement there were 27 arrests and 55 ejections from the stadium at the match.

“I’m very proud of our officers’ response to a volatile situation and for their hard work in keeping our community safe as well as our law-enforcement partners who provided key support,” police director Stephanie Daniels said.

“As part of the full analysis of last night’s game, we will review protocols set in place to ensure an orderly, safe and secure environment for all future events.”

South American football governing body CONMEBOL said in a statement it suggested procedures to security organizers that were not used.

“Fans without tickets went to the vicinity of the stadium, which delayed the normal access of the people who did have them, which slowed down the entry and determined the closing of doors,” CONMEBOL said in a statement.

“In this situation, CONMEBOL was subject to the decisions made by the authorities of the Hard Rock Stadium, in accordance with the contractual responsibilities established for the security operation.

“In addition to the provisions determined in said contract, CONMEBOL recommended to these authorities the procedures tested in events of this magnitude, which were NOT taken into account.

“We regret that the acts of violence produced by malicious people have tarnished a final that was ready to be a great celebration of sport.”

The chaotic scenes at the Copa America final have raised serious questions for the organizers of the 2026 World Cup which will be held in North America. The start of Sunday’s final between Colombia and Argentina at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium was delayed by 82 minutes as overwhelmed security struggled to process the safe entry fans into the stadium. Organisers blamed ticketless fans for rushing the entry points into the venue for their decision to keep the gates closed for almost three hours after the planned opening time.

But, while there was plenty of evidence of ticketless fans entering, it was also clear that the security system was unable to cope.

Some fans needed medical attention for heat exhaustion after being stuck in the crush around the fencing at the entrance to the 65,000 capacity venue amid alarming scenes.

Hard Rock Stadium will host seven games at the 2026 World Cup which the USA is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada.

The Copa America was organised by South American confederation CONMEBOL while the World Cup will be controlled by global governing body FIFA and it’s local organisation.

“This is not a good look,” said former USA international Alexi Lalas, now a leading television pundit for Fox Sports.

“I understand this is not a good look for CONMEBOL and this is also, because it is happening on our watch, in our country, not a good look for the US less than two years out from the World Cup,” he said.

FIFA, who had no role in the running of the Copa, did not immediately comment on the incidents but sources indicated they would now intensify discussions with stadiums over their security plans.

‘An embarrassment’

A former stadium employee, who spoke to AFP on the condition of anonymity, said that the incident at Hard Rock was down to bad organisation.

“I know this facility like the back of my hand, this should never happen,” he said after spending over two hours in the crush outside the ground.

“If you’re worried about weapons, if you’re worried about guns, if you’re worried about knives, you set up a perimeter, you check them and check tickets outside, not in a gate where you funnel in 10,000 people when you have women and children, you have women and children passing out at the gate trying to get into the stadium with people paying $2,000 a ticket,” he said.

“This is an embarrassment, for CONMEBOL, for the Hard Rock Stadium, an embarrassment that should never happen,” he added.

FIFA’s World Cup stadiums tend to use such a perimeter control, as the initial check on fans, before they enter a zone closer to the venue.

“I have no doubt that FIFA and the USA and Canada and Mexico will sort this out and make sure that this doesn’t happen going forward,” said Lalas during the match broadcast.

But the Miami debacle was not the only incident to raise concerns during the Copa America.

Wednesday’s semi-final between Colombia and Uruguay in Charlotte ended in ugly scenes as Uruguayan players climbed into the stands and clashed with Colombian fans, claiming family members had been threatened in the unsegregated stands.

As in Miami, local stadium security and police appeared to be caught by surprise by the very different behaviour of soccer fans compared to the far less rowdy NFL spectators they are used to.

All the World Cup stadiums for the 2026 World Cup are NFL venues. The USA hosted the World Cup in 1994 which was viewed as a successful tournament, setting a new attendance record.

The placing of grass surfaces over or in place of American football’s artificial turf fields caused plenty of issues during Copa America, with several coaches including Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni complaining about the poor quality.

FIFA sources said they intend to have all stadiums install grass in good time, rather than the very late switches that occurred for the Copa America.

But the bigger issue appears to be in training and preparing stadium security to deal with soccer crowds and having an effective system in place.

Canada’s American coach Jesse Marsch believes that the Copa’s issues were mainly due to CONMEBOL’s inexperience in the US market and that FIFA will do a better job in 2026.

“They made the mistake of thinking that they were just going to bring all their people from South America and be able to run a tournament in a new country and they were going to be able to do it seamlessly. And they made a massive mistake in that,” he told Canadian Press.

“(FIFA’s) overall experience for running tournaments, I think, is at a much different level,” he said.

Argentina lifted their third major trophy in the span of as many years, beating Colombia in Sunday’s Copa America final in Miami. Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal of the match in the 112th minute to win a record 16th Copa America for Argentina. There were tears before the celebrations though with Argentina captain Lionel Messi going off injured in the 66th minute. The final was also an emotional farewell for veteran winger Angel di Maria, who had earlier announced that he would retire from international duty after the tournament in the United States.

As Argentina were about to receive the trophy, Messi made a heartwarming gesture towards Di Maria and experienced defender Nicolas Otamendi.

Messi, who started his career during the same time as Di Maria and Otamendi, asked the duo to join him before he was about to lift the trophy.

pic.twitter.com/8kthMmKdXx

— M10G (@World10G) July 15, 2024

A game of few chances, which had been marred by security and crowd issues, forcing a 82-minute delay, was decided by a quality finish from substitute Martinez — who finished the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.

For Colombia, whose only title came in the 2001 Copa America and who were unbeaten in 28 games, it was a disappointing night when little seemed to work for Nestor Lorenzo’s team.

There was chaos around entry to the stadium for fans, with organisers blaming supporters for trying to enter without tickets while fans blamed the lack of an efficient entry system to the venue.

The scenes were alarming with some fans needing medical attention for heat exhaustion but after the decision to suddenly throw open the gates, with no checks on those entering, the situation was largely resolved and the game went ahead.

Di Maria, who had left the field for the last time in an Argentina shirt to huge applause, said the team’s ‘Triple Crown’ achievement needed to be appreciated.

“It seems easy but it is very difficult. I know this because I experienced the other side for 10, 11 years as well. It’s not easy to get to the finals and win them,” he said.

(With AFP Inputs)