Two Colombian military planes carrying around 200 citizens deported from the United States landed in Bogotá on Tuesday, following tensions between both countries over the handling of migrant returns.
President Gustavo Petro shared photos of the returnees on social media, emphasizing that they arrived home without restraints. “They are Colombians—free, dignified, and back in a country that values them,” he wrote.
This development comes after Petro initially rejected deportation flights from the U.S., citing concerns over the treatment of Brazilian migrants, who had reportedly been restrained during their return.
The Colombian government made it clear that it would only accept its citizens if they were treated with respect. To facilitate the process, two military planes with medical personnel were sent to bring back the nationals from San Diego and Houston.
