Colombian President Gustavo Petro rejected two planes sent by the United States with deportees on Sunday, which generated a diplomatic crisis with the Donald Trump administration. This Tuesday, Petro released photographs taken inside Colombian Air Force planes transporting a first group of 110 Colombians deported from the United States to Colombia.
"Our compatriots are coming from the U.S. The migrant is not a criminal, they are a free human being. They are Colombians, they are free and dignified, and they are in their homeland where they are wanted," Petro stated on his social media.
The two planes transporting the deported Colombians departed for San Diego (California) and Houston (Texas) on Monday and are expected to arrive this Tuesday at the Catam Military Base in Bogotá.
The Colombian Foreign Ministry explained that the government arranged these planes to bring back home the 110 compatriots deported from the United States, following established protocols for a dignified return. However, Petro's initial refusal to accept the planes caused a conflict with Washington.
Petro's statement prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to order a 25% tariff on all Colombian products, among other sanctions. Petro responded with reciprocity, ordering a 25% increase in import tariffs from the United States.
Despite the initial tension, the White House announced that the crisis with Colombia had been resolved, stating that Petro's government accepted all terms proposed by President Trump. Amid this situation, Petro highlighted the importance of supporting Colombian migrants with productive credit plans to promote their development and progress.
