Falling over themselves to report the latest post from Trump, most journalists have not bothered to give the full picture. From the existing agreement messed up to Trump’s back down. Did you miss that bit?
Following the developments of the spat that Trump chose to have with Colombia over the repatriation of Colombian migrants on the major news outlets, some critical details will have been missed. These details give quite a different narrative to the simplistic story that news outlets are portraying.
Colombia was already accepting repatriation flights
There was already agreement between the USA and Colombia regarding repatriating Colombians who did not have visas to be in the USA. From 2020 to 2024 there were 475 repatriation flights. These used civilian aeroplanes and the passengers were not shackled like dangerous criminals. Importantly, there were not photographers present to ensure to publicise the humiliation.
Trump backed down
As the whole debacle was a bit of theatre for Trump’s gullible fans, it is not surprising that Trump has agreed to resume the repatriations on the previous conditions. With respect and dignity.
Of course the main news outlets are not reporting the announcement from the Colombian government. It was not posted on X or Truth Social so they have not noticed it. Also, the announcement was transmitted in Spanish.
An announcement from the Colombian government confirms that the flights will resume with dignity and respect.
“The Colombian government announces that it has overcome the impasse with the US government.In this context, Counselor Luis Hilberto Murillo and Embassador Daniel GarcÃa Peña will travel to Washington DC in the next few days to participate in high level meetings that will continue to advance the agreements resulting from the joint work of diplomatic exchanges between the two governments. We will continue receiving Colombian men and women that are returned as deportees under guaranteed conditions of dignity as citizens who are accorded rights.The Colombian government under the the direction of President Gustavo Petro has made available the presidential plane to facilitate the return of its citizens that were to arrive here in Colombia this morning in deportation planes. Colombia ratifies that it will maintain diplomatic relations and dialogue to guarantee the rights, the national interests, and the dignity of our citizens.Thank you very much.”
We are grateful to Pachacutec for the unofficial translation.