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Daniel O.: Colombian man handcuffed on military deportation flight that was turned back

Daniel Oquendo, 33, was handcuffed aboard a military deportation flight to Colombia that was turned around mid-flight after Colombia's president blocked it, then spent a night in El Paso before being flown home on a civilian plane.

Jan 20, 2025San Diego, CACountry of origin: Colombia

Daniel O.: Colombian man handcuffed on military deportation flight that was turned back
Photo via CNN

Daniel Oquendo, 33, crossed the U.S.-Mexico border on January 20, 2025, and was apprehended in San Diego. He was placed on a U.S. military C-130 flight with handcuffs as part of a planned deportation to Colombia, but Colombian President Gustavo Petro blocked the landing of two military flights carrying about 200 deportees in early January, objecting to their treatment and the use of military aircraft. After being turned around mid-flight and spending a night in El Paso, Oquendo was finally repatriated to Colombia on a civilian aircraft sent by the Colombian government on January 28.

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