Colombian President Gustavo Petro has condemned the use of secondhand military aircraft following a transport plane crash that killed at least 66 soldiers. The accident occurred on Monday in southwestern Colombia, prompting an official investigation.
Writing on social media platform X, President Petro questioned the efficacy of such donations, stating: 'An army cannot defend its own people with crappy gifts.' He specifically referenced the Hercules CJ-130, an aircraft donated by the United States, adding: 'They give away whatever is useless to them — and the 'gift' ends up costing more than buying it new.'
The military transport plane crashed shortly after take-off in Colombia’s Putumayo province. The Defence Ministry confirmed that while 66 soldiers perished, 57 others were rescued alive from the remote crash site in Puerto Leguizamo. Survivors are currently receiving treatment for their injuries in the capital, Bogota, and other locations.
The Hercules CJ-130 was part of a cooperation agreement with the US in 2020, which also included two other used Hercules planes. Despite its age, the aircraft underwent a detailed overhaul in 2023, during which its engines were inspected and key components replaced. Aviation expert Erich Saumeth said investigators must determine why the four-engine Hercules failed so shortly after takeoff, adding: 'I don’t think this plane crashed because of a lack of good parts.'
Former Colombian President Iván Duque, who was in office when the Hercules was donated, urged Petro to 'calm down and breathe' and called for a rigorous investigation into the weight of the plane and runway length. The airport in Puerto Leguizamo has a short runway of just 1.2 kilometres. Officials said the plane crashed in a field less than 2 kilometres from the airport.
Petro has used the accident to promote his campaign to modernise military equipment, blaming 'bureaucratic difficulties' and suggesting that some officials should be held accountable. Critics point to a lack of execution of military contracts under Petro’s administration and fewer flight hours due to defence budget cuts.
