Colombian President Gustavo Petro caved and has sent a presidential plane to repatriate deportees from the United States after President Donald Trump imposed waves of sanctions on the South American country for blocking U.S. military removal flights from landing in Colombia.
Mr Petro had earlier on Sunday announced that he blocked two flights carrying deported Colombian citizens from the United States, stating that the American government “cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals.”
In response to Mr Petro’s action, Mr Trump immediately announced a wave of sanctions, including a 25 per cent tariff on goods coming from Colombia into the U.S., visa restrictions on Mr Petro, his cabinet, family members, and supporters.
Meanwhile, Mr Petro has now backtracked on his decision following the announcement of the sanctions and subsequently directed the arrangement of presidential planes to bring the deportees back home on Sunday.
“The government of Colombia, under the direction of President Gustavo Petro, has arranged the presidential plane to facilitate the dignified return of compatriots who were to arrive in the country today in the morning from deportation flights,” a government statement said.
The statement also noted that the Colombian government is currently in discussions with the new Trump administration to facilitate the repatriation of Colombian undocumented migrants back to the country in a more dignified manner.
“The government of Colombia is also in active talks with the government of the United States, seeking agreements that ensure minimum conditions of respect and dignified treatment for compatriots during deportation processes, recognising them as subjects of rights.”
