Colombia to Welcome All U.S. Deportees: "Human Dignity and Rights Must Be Central to Any Solution"

The administration of President Gustavo Petro has announced its commitment to ensuring the dignified return of Colombians deported from the United States, as part of a broader pledge to uphold human rights and the dignity of its citizens. In a statement shared on X, Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed to Mauricio Claver-Carone, former special envoy for Latin America under Donald Trump, the immediate commencement of the repatriation process for all Colombians deported from the U.S.

According to the statement, since January 26, Colombian diplomats have been in regular discussions with U.S. representatives to guarantee that the deportation process is conducted in a respectful and appropriate manner. "The dignity of our nationals is a fundamental principle in our migration policy," emphasized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Colombian government is actively exploring various options to ensure the deportees' return is carried out with dignity, taking into account the most suitable fiscal and logistical possibilities.

To streamline this process, the ministry is considering different transportation methods, including both air and sea options. In coordination with the Panamanian government, over 40 Colombians are scheduled to return on February 3 under what are described as "dignified conditions." Seven individuals, however, will be repatriated under special conditions due to offenses committed in Panama.

Furthermore, the Petro administration is developing a care protocol for migrants undergoing deportation, in collaboration with non-governmental organizations, the Church, trade groups, and the business sector. This protocol aims to serve as a regional model to address the migration issue collaboratively and systematically. "Migration is one of the major challenges of the 21st century, and it must be handled responsibly. The Colombian government is committed to providing solutions that ensure deportees have a better future back home. Human rights must always be the top priority," stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"We are working to ensure deported nationals find the necessary opportunities in Colombia to start anew and build a better future. Dignity and human rights are at the core of our migration policy," the ministry concluded.

This announcement comes amid a backdrop of stricter U.S. immigration policies under the Trump administration, which aims to deport a record number of illegal migrants. This follows President Petro's recent decision to block the entry of U.S. military aircraft carrying deported Colombian migrants, citing procedural irregularities in the repatriation processes conducted by the American government.

Following Trump's tenure in the White House, an increase in deportation flights to several Latin American countries, including Colombia, Mexico, and potentially Venezuela, has been anticipated. Last Friday, 148 Colombians were deported to the country from San Diego, California, with another flight expected to bring 48 more immigrants on Monday, February 3.

On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Venezuela for the repatriation of Venezuelan migrants illegally residing in the U.S., with Caracas providing transportation. Meanwhile, Mexico has agreed to accept migrants from certain nationalities, including Cubans.