Colombia sends presidential plane to pick up migrants deported by Trump

(Dan Tri) - Colombia announced that it will send a presidential plane to Honduras to pick up migrants deported by the Donald Trump administration.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro (Photo: Reuters).

Colombia will send a presidential plane to Honduras to pick up its citizens after refusing to accept flights to deport migrants from the United States, a move that prompted President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on Colombian goods over the weekend.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has arranged for the presidential plane to assist in the "humanitarian repatriation of Colombian citizens expected to arrive in the country this morning, from deportation flights," according to a statement on January 26.

"This measure is intended to affirm the government's commitment to ensuring humanitarian conditions. No Colombian citizen has been or will be expelled from Colombian territory," the statement said.

Earlier in the day, President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Colombia into the US. He also issued a travel ban and immediately revoked visas for “government officials, their allies, and supporters,” among other measures, after Colombia refused to accept two flights of deported migrants.

He responded by ordering a 25% increase in import duties on goods from the United States entering Colombia.

"American products, which are expected to increase in price sharply in the coming time, must be replaced by domestic products, and the government will support this," Mr. Petro declared.

Petro had previously said he would refuse US deportation flights when Trump began his crackdown on illegal immigrants.

"The United States cannot treat Colombian migrants like criminals. I refuse to allow American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory," he declared.

Mr. Trump said that Colombia's "denial of these flights has endangered the national security and public safety of the United States."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that Petro had initially agreed to take the two flights but withdrew his decision while the planes were in the air.

“We are steadfast in our commitment to ending illegal immigration and strengthening America’s border security,” Rubio said.

Mr Petro later responded to Mr Rubio in a post saying he would never allow Colombians to be handcuffed on flights.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/colombia-dieu-chuyen-co-tong-thong-don-nguoi-di-cu-bi-ong-trump-truc-xuat-20250127104403641.htm