Planes Carrying 201 Deported Colombians Arrive in Bogota from the United States

Planes Carrying 201 Deported Colombians Arrive in Bogota from the United States

Bogota, January 28 – Two Colombian air force planes carrying deportees from the United States arrived in Bogota on Tuesday, the Colombian government announced. This step may pave the way for U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to lift visa restrictions and other measures on Colombian citizens.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro averted an economic crisis over the weekend when diplomats from his government reached a deal with the United States on deportation flights. The dispute had led both countries to threaten tariffs, with the U.S. imposing stricter visa measures on Colombians.

One of the planes brought 110 Colombians from San Diego, California, while the other carried 91 Colombians from El Paso, Texas, according to Colombia's Foreign Ministry via their X platform.

Among the deportees was Andredy Alexander Barrientos, a 26-year-old engineer, who told reporters at Bogota's airport that he had been in the United States for only 12 days. "I went to the U.S. in search of more economic stability," he said.

President Petro had objected to the use of U.S. military planes for deporting Colombians, arguing that his country's citizens were being treated like criminals. As a result, he had refused to allow such planes to land in Colombia.

This agreement has opened new possibilities for renewed diplomatic collaboration between the two nations.