Amid rising diplomatic tensions over deportation policies, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has sent air force planes to collect migrants from the US. The situation escalated after Petro barred US military flights, stating the deportees were treated unjustly.
Colombian Air Force Responds to US Deportation Controversy
Colombian Air Force Responds to US Deportation Controversy
Colombia dispatches air force planes to retrieve migrants from the US amid escalating diplomatic tensions and concerns over treatment of deportees.
In a significant development on the migration front, the Colombian Air Force dispatched two planes to the United States to repatriate Colombian migrants who were previously on US military flights. This action follows a heated exchange between Colombian President Gustavo Petro and former President Donald Trump, which nearly resulted in a trade conflict. President Petro expressed strong objections to the treatment of deportees, asserting that those on board the US military flights were being treated "like criminals."
On Sunday, after ordering US military aircraft to divert, President Petro took to social media to share a photo from onboard the Colombian aircraft, stating, "They are Colombians, free and dignified, and in their homeland where they are loved." This stance reflects his government's commitment to ensuring that deportees are received without restraints. In support of this claim, Petro publicized images of migrants disembarking from the plane holding their passports, emphasizing the dignity with which they were treated.
Historically, Colombia has maintained agreements to accept deportees from the US; however, the incident was sparked by a video of Brazilian deportees who had been handcuffed during their flights, which led Petro to assert he would "never allow Colombians to be returned handcuffed."
Tensions between the two countries escalated when Trump threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Colombian goods entering the US along with further sanctions and visa restrictions, aiming to compel Colombia to adhere to the deportation agreements. Furthermore, the US embassy in Bogotá canceled numerous visa appointments for Colombians, underscoring the diplomatic ramifications of the dispute.
Despite the grim backdrop, negotiations have yielded a resolution, with reports of a deal allowing for the unfettered acceptance of all deportees. Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo articulated that Colombia remains committed to welcoming deportees in "dignified conditions." Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether this deportation method will become standard practice, or if this intervention was an isolated occurrence.
As the backlash reframes broader discussions, leaders from Central and South America, including President Petro, are set to congregate at a summit in Honduras to tackle the implications of the US immigration policy following this incident. The outcome of this diplomatic engagement will be pivotal in shaping future relations between Colombia and the United States regarding migration issues and deportation processes.
