More than 300 nationals, including children and adults, returned to the country.
News Colombia.
Since Donald Trump’s return to the presidency of the United States, immigration policy has hardened, resulting in the mass deportation of thousands of migrants to their countries of origin. Colombia has not been the exception, and the situation reached a critical point on January 26 when President Gustavo Petro refused to receive American airplanes with deported Colombian citizens.
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In an effort to guarantee a “dignified” return for the deportees, the Colombian government organized a special operation using aircraft of the Colombian aerospace force (FAC) to repatriate its citizens.
With the usual commitment, the #Fuerzaaeroespacial🇨🇴 Repatriated 306 compatriots from the United States, guaranteeing a safe and worthy trip.
A work articulated with @Canceliacol, @Migracioncol and US authorities.
➡️https://t.co/HZFSSR8BP3@Mindefense… pic.twitter.com/z9ndgiqldg
– Colombian Aerospace Force (@Fuerzaaereacol) January 31, 2025
According to an official statement from the FAC, the repatriation was carried out at the request of the Colombian Foreign Ministry and Migration, with the aim of ensuring safe and humanitarian conditions for returned Colombians.
How was it carried out and what was its cost?
Some of the most relevant details of the operation include:
- Boeing 737-700 aircraft of the FAC were used to optimize the transport capacity.
- The cooperation of the US authorities to expedite the repatriation procedures was available.
- During flights, a team of military doctors accompanied passengers to address possible health problems.
- Three flights were made in total: two on January 28 and one on January 29, 2025.
- In total, 306 Colombians were repatriated, including 42 children, two older adults and 118 women, some in a state of gestation.
The Colombian aerospace force revealed that the operation had an approximate cost of $ 2.2 billion pesos. This expense covered the deployment of aircraft, the logistics of the mission and medical assistance on board.
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