Colombia has proposed funding the repatriation of its citizens deported from the United States, aiming to ensure a "dignified" return, the country's foreign ministry announced on Friday. The move follows a heated diplomatic dispute between Colombian President Gustavo Petro and U.S. President Donald Trump over the treatment and deportation of Colombian migrants.
Diplomatic Tensions and Trade Threats
The disagreement between the two leaders escalated last week, with both sides exchanging threats of imposing trade tariffs of up to 50%. In response to Petro's refusal to permit U.S. military planes to repatriate Colombian migrants, the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá suspended visa processing from Monday to Friday.
Petro had strongly criticized the U.S. for treating deported migrants as criminals, alleging they were placed in shackles and handcuffs during removal proceedings.
Colombia's Repatriation Proposal
In an official statement, Colombia’s foreign ministry confirmed that it had offered to assume the transportation costs for all deported Colombian citizens. The proposal was presented to Mauricio Claver-Carone, President Trump’s special envoy for Latin America. Petro reiterated that his government would not allow deportees to be transported in handcuffs.
Despite initial tensions, the Trump administration announced a series of sanctions against Colombia earlier this week but later walked back the measures. The White House stated that Bogotá had ultimately accepted the U.S. conditions and agreed to resume repatriation flights.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Colombian military and civilian aircraft transported the first groups of deported migrants back to Bogotá. Petro emphasized that the deportations were conducted under "dignified" conditions and asserted that none of the returnees had been identified as confirmed criminals.
Anticipating Mass Deportations
Colombian authorities estimate that approximately 27,000 nationals are set to be deported in the coming months, based on removal orders signed by either the Trump administration or that of his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden.
Trump has pledged to execute the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history, targeting millions of undocumented immigrants, many of whom are from Latin America.
U.S.-Colombia Relations at a Crossroads
The United States remains Colombia’s largest trade partner and has provided billions of dollars in aid over the decades to combat drug trafficking and terrorism. However, the latest tensions highlight the complex diplomatic challenges surrounding immigration policy and bilateral relations between the two nations.
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.