BOGOTA (Reuters) -The first of two Colombian air force planes carrying people who were deported from the United States arrived in Bogota early on Tuesday, local media said, paving the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to lift visa restrictions and other measures on Colombian citizens.
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro averted an economic disaster at the 11th hour over the weekend after diplomats from his government and the U.S. reached a deal on deportation flights, in a spat that had led both countries to threaten tariffs and the U.S. to impose visa measures.
Colombia’s foreign office had said on Monday the first plane would be carrying 110 Colombians from San Diego, California and a second would also arrive on Tuesday. Local media Caracol Radio and El Tiempo newspaper reported the first plane had already arrived.
Petro had vehemently objected to the use of U.S. military planes to deport Colombians, saying his country’s citizens were being treated like criminals, and refused to allow planes to land.
Trump responded with a pledge to impose a 25% tariff on all Colombian goods, set to rise to 50% in a week, as well as emergency treasury, banking and financial sanctions and visa restrictions on Colombian officials and citizens alike.
Petro threatened his own tariffs, but the two sides reached a deal late on Sunday night after tense negotiations, according to diplomats.
Trump officials have cheered the deal as a victory and said Trump used Colombia as an example of U.S. power, while Colombian officials have said the agreement is a win for both sides.
Dozens of frustrated Colombians had long-awaited visa appointments at the U.S. embassy in Bogota canceled on Monday.
(Reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb)
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