Flights with 201 deportees from US land in Colombia

BOGOTA, Colombia

Two Colombian Air Force planes carrying 201 migrants, including women and children recently deported from the US, arrived in Colombia on Tuesday, according to Colombian authorities.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro shared photos of the first group of 110 deportees arriving from San Diego, California, emphasizing their "dignified treatment."

"They are Colombians, free and honorable individuals, returning to their beloved homeland. Migrants are not criminals; they are people who want to work, progress, and rebuild their lives," Petro said on X.

The second group of 91 returnees arrived later from El Paso, Texas.

Authorities confirmed that 26 minors were among the passengers on the two flights and that the migrants will receive the necessary support and resources, and that measures are in place to ensure their safe return to their home cities. Government statements to local media indicated that none of the arriving adults have criminal records.

“Our fellow citizens are returning from the United States, free and dignified, without handcuffs. We have developed a productive, cooperative, and affordable credit plan for migrants. Migrants are not criminals; they are free human beings,” Petro said.

The repatriation appears to resolve a diplomatic crisis that began on Sunday when President Petro refused landing permission to a US Air Force plane carrying undocumented migrants.

"The US cannot treat Colombian immigrants as criminals. I forbid the entry of American planes carrying Colombian immigrants into our territory. The US must establish a protocol for the dignified treatment of immigrants before we agree to receive them," Petro had said on X.

In response to the initial refusal, US President Donald Trump announced sanctions on Colombia, including tariffs. These measures included a 25% tariff on all Colombian goods imported into the US, with a planned increase to 50% within a week, along with a travel ban and visa revocations for US government officials, emergency financial sanctions, and increased scrutiny of Colombian products and individuals entering the US.

While Petro threatened to retaliate with a 50% tariff on US goods, the White House subsequently announced an agreement with Colombia to accept migrants "without limitation or delay."