The first plane carrying Colombian migrants deported from the United States has landed in the South American country after the settlement of a dispute between the nations over U.S. deportation policy.

“They are Colombians; they are free and dignified, and they are in their home country, where they are loved,” Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro announced on social media platform X on Tuesday.

“The migrant is not a criminal; he is a person who wants to work and get ahead, who wants to live,” the president wrote.

The Colombians arrived in the capital, Bogotá, on a Colombian Air Force plane.

Earlier on Sunday, Mr Petro had initially prevented two U.S. military aircraft carrying deported Colombians from landing. He justified his decision by saying migrants were not criminals and should be treated with dignity.

U.S. President Donald Trump reacted promptly and announced tariffs of 25 per cent on goods from Colombia and entry restrictions for Colombians. Mr Petro flexed his muscles and also announced tariffs but then backed down.

Just a few hours later, the White House issued a statement saying Mr Petro had agreed to all of Mr Trump’s conditions. On the basis of this agreement, the tariffs would not be imposed, the White House said.

With the landing of the plane in Colombia, the visa sanctions imposed by the U.S. State Department and the increased customs and border protection checks on all Colombian goods and nationals would cease to apply.

Mr Petro’s decision to reject the flights on Sunday was met with criticism in his own country. Local media reported that a think tank had called on the president to pursue a responsible and pragmatic foreign policy.

(dpa/NAN)