Colombian President, Gustavo Petro, announced on Sunday that his government would not accept deportation flights from the United States unless the Trump administration establishes a protocol ensuring migrants are treated with “dignity.”
Petro shared the decision via two posts on X, including one that featured a news clip showing migrants, reportedly deported to Brazil, walking across a tarmac with their hands and feet restrained.
“A migrant is not a criminal and must be treated with the dignity that a human being deserves,” Petro stated. “That is why I returned the U.S. military planes that were carrying Colombian migrants.”
The U.S. government has yet to respond to the Associated Press’ request for clarification regarding the aircraft and deportation protocols employed for flights to Colombia.
Petro further emphasized that Colombia would accept its citizens only if they were transported on “civilian airplanes” and treated “without treatment like criminals.”
The move comes amid a broader effort by U.S. President Donald Trump to deliver on his campaign pledge to crack down on illegal immigration.
His administration has enlisted active-duty military personnel to bolster border security and facilitate deportations.
On Friday, two U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo planes landed in Guatemala, carrying migrants removed from the U.S. That same day, Honduras received two additional flights, which transported a total of 193 deportees.
