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Epoch Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Colombia Grants Political Asylum to Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli
Colombia granted political asylum to former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, who left the Nicaraguan Embassy in Panama on Saturday, where he had been sheltering since February 2024. The Colombian Foreign Ministry in a statement that the decision was 'duly communicated' by President Gustavo Petro Urrego to the Panamanian government. The decision was 'based on the observance of the pro persona principle and Colombia's humanist tradition of protecting persons persecuted for political reasons,' the Colombian government added. After Martinelli was given asylum, the Panamanian government him safe passage for his 'prompt and safe departure' from the country to Colombia. The Panamanian Foreign Ministry justified the safe passage granted to Martinelli by citing the 1933 Convention on Political Asylum. It also specified in a statement that Martinelli left 'in a diplomatic car from the Embassy of the Republic of Nicaragua in Panama City and then by plane bound for the territory of the Republic of Colombia.' Martinelli, who was president of Panama between 2009 and 2014, thanked the Colombian government for its decision. Related Stories 3/23/2025 4/16/2025 'Happy and content because I am now in Bogotá, where I have been granted political asylum as a political refugee,' Martinelli, 73, 'Thank you very much to the Colombian government and President Gustavo Petro for granting me political asylum.' Martinelli also said he was 'eternally grateful' to the Nicaraguan government for granting him asylum for 16 months in its embassy. 'Thanks to them, I was able to save my life,' he said. Colombian Interior Minister Armando Benedetti Monday that the basis for the asylum granted by his country to Martinelli, who arrived in Bogotá on on May 10, must be reviewed. He said 'asylum has little to do with judicial issues' in an interview with Caracol Radio. Martinelli, who is also a businessman, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for money laundering in July 2023 in connection with the purchase of a publishing group with public funds. He also faced charges in a separate case for alleged bribery and other allegations. After the sentence was handed down, the former president sought refuge in the Nicaraguan diplomatic mission in Panama, after the government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega granted him asylum. He remained in the embassy for more than a year. Martinelli's previous request for safe passage out of the country was denied by the former Panamanian government, which warned that Ortega's government was trying to influence Panama's internal politics from the Nicaraguan diplomatic headquarters. EFE and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Al-Ahram Weekly
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Colombians expelled from US after Trump spat arrive in Bogota - International
Two military planes sent from Colombia to fetch dozens of its nationals expelled from the United States arrived in Bogota on Tuesday after a blazing row with Donald Trump over migrant deportations. Related Colombia caves on deportations after Trump threats Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted photographs on social media of migrants disembarking without handcuffs, and wrote: "They are Colombians, free and dignified, and in their homeland where they are loved." "The migrant is not a criminal but a human being who wants to work and progress, live life," he added. Petro, Colombia's first-ever leftist president, on Sunday stepped back from the brink of a full-blown trade war with the United States after Trump threatened the country with sanctions and massive tariffs for turning back two US military planes carrying deported migrants. The planes were refused after Petro took umbrage at the treatment meted out to Brazilians expelled from the United States and flown home in handcuffs and shackled at the ankles. In a break with his predecessors, Trump, inaugurated as US president last week, has also begun using military aircraft. Petro insisted he would only accept migrants who were not treated "like criminals." Bogota sent two Colombian air force planes Monday with medical staff on board to fetch its nationals in the cities of San Diego and Houston. "We arrived well, thank God," one of the deportees told Caracol Radio at Bogota's El Dorado airport after the planes landed at an air base nearby. "We're not criminals," added the woman, who recounted her journey via Mexico to reach the United States, only to be arrested for not having immigration papers. - 'America is respected again' - Petro, a former guerrilla, was the first Latin American leader to defy Trump over his mass deportation plans. But his resistance fizzled in the face of Trump's threats to impose tariffs on Colombian imports -- despite the two countries having a free-trade agreement -- and the suspension of US visa applications. Petro threatened retaliatory steps before backing down following an outcry at home over what many saw as a hot-headed handling of the dispute. Trump called off his threatened tariff hikes but said the visa measures would stay in place until the first planeload of deportees returned home. The Republican leader claimed victory Monday, telling a congressional lawmakers' retreat in Miami that "America is respected again." Trump insisted that "as you saw yesterday, we've made it clear to every country that they will be taking back our people, that we're sending out the criminals... the illegal aliens coming from their countries." If nations don't accept their nationals back "fast," added Trump, "they'll pay a very high economic price." Trump's plan for mass migrant deportations has put him on a potential collision course with governments in Latin America -- the original home of most of the United States' estimated 11 million undocumented migrants. Since he took office a week ago, thousands of people have been sent back to countries including Guatemala and Mexico -- but in most cases the deportations stemmed from agreements predating his return to power. While previous US administrations also routinely expelled illegal migrants, Trump has vowed the biggest deportation wave in history. Honduras has called for an urgent meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Thursday to discuss migration issues. Short link:
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Colombians expelled from US after Trump spat arrive in Bogota
Two military planes sent from Colombia to fetch dozens of its nationals expelled from the United States arrived in Bogota on Tuesday after a blazing row with Donald Trump over migrant deportations. Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted photographs on social media of migrants disembarking without handcuffs, and wrote: "They are Colombians, free and dignified, and in their homeland where they are loved." "The migrant is not a criminal but a human being who wants to work and progress, live life," he added. Petro, Colombia's first-ever leftist president, on Sunday stepped back from the brink of a full-blown trade war with the United States after Trump threatened the country with sanctions and massive tariffs for turning back two US military planes carrying deported migrants. The planes were refused after Petro took umbrage at the treatment meted out to Brazilians expelled from the United States and flown home in handcuffs and shackled at the ankles. In a break with his predecessors, Trump, inaugurated as US president last week, has also begun using military aircraft. Petro insisted he would only accept migrants who were not treated "like criminals." Bogota sent two Colombian air force planes Monday with medical staff on board to fetch its nationals in the cities of San Diego and Houston. "We arrived well, thank God," one of the deportees told Caracol Radio at Bogota's El Dorado airport after the planes landed at an air base nearby. "We're not criminals," added the woman, who recounted her journey via Mexico to reach the United States, only to be arrested for not having immigration papers. - 'America is respected again' - Petro, a former guerrilla, was the first Latin American leader to defy Trump over his mass deportation plans. But his resistance fizzled in the face of Trump's threats to impose tariffs on Colombian imports -- despite the two countries having a free-trade agreement -- and the suspension of US visa applications. Petro threatened retaliatory steps before backing down following an outcry at home over what many saw as a hot-headed handling of the dispute. Trump called off his threatened tariff hikes but said the visa measures would stay in place until the first planeload of deportees returned home. The Republican leader claimed victory Monday, telling a congressional lawmakers' retreat in Miami that "America is respected again." Trump insisted that "as you saw yesterday, we've made it clear to every country that they will be taking back our people, that we're sending out the criminals... the illegal aliens coming from their countries." If nations don't accept their nationals back "fast," added Trump, "they'll pay a very high economic price." Trump's plan for mass migrant deportations has put him on a potential collision course with governments in Latin America -- the original home of most of the United States' estimated 11 million undocumented migrants. Since he took office a week ago, thousands of people have been sent back to countries including Guatemala and Mexico -- but in most cases the deportations stemmed from agreements predating his return to power. While previous US administrations also routinely expelled illegal migrants, Trump has vowed the biggest deportation wave in history. Honduras has called for an urgent meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Thursday to discuss migration issues. arm/lv/mlr/nro
Al Arabiya
28-01-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
First of Colombia planes carrying US deportees arrives in Bogota after Trump-Petro spat
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 US 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 US reached a deal on deportation flights, in a spat that had led both countries to threaten tariffs and the US 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 US 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 percent tariff on all Colombian goods, set to rise to 50 percent 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 US 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 US embassy in Bogota canceled on Monday.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
First of Colombia planes carrying US deportees arrives in Bogota after Trump-Petro spat
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. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. 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.
