El accidente del avión Hércules C-130 de la Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (FAC) de este lunes, que llevaba 125 personas a bordo, en su mayoría militares, de las cuales al menos 83 sobrevivieron con heridas, es uno de los más importantes desde 2019 en el ámbito militar entre las tragedias aéreas ocurridas en América Latina.

En lo que va de siglo, en Latinoamérica se han producido accidentes de aviones, tanto comerciales como militares, que han dejado decenas de fallecidos.

Hace poco menos de un mes, el 28 de febrero, murieron 22 personas en un accidente de un avión militar de carga que transportaba dinero destinado al Banco Central de Bolivia. El avión se salió de la pista tras aterrizar y varias personas accedieron para recoger los billetes dispersos. Hay 51 detenidos y abiertas tres investigaciones.

11 enero 2003.- Un avión Fokker F28 de la compañía peruana Tans, con 46 ocupantes (entre ellos una española), y que cubría la ruta entre Chiclayo y la ciudad amazónica de Chachapoyas (Perú), se estrella contra el cerro Coloque a 3.300 metros de altitud. No hubo supervivientes.

16 agosto 2005.- Mueren los 161 ocupantes de un avión de la compañía colombiana West Caribbean, la gran mayoría franceses de Martinica, al caer a tierra en la sierra venezolana de Perijá cuando volaba entre Panamá y esa isla francesa del Caribe.

29 septiembre 2006.- Un Boeing de la línea brasileña GOL desaparece con 154 personas a bordo, que fallecieron, tras colisionar con un avión Legacy que se dirigía a Estados Unidos, en la frontera entre los estados amazónicos de Pará y Mato Grosso. El Legacy consiguió aterrizar de emergencia.

17 julio 2007.- Un Airbus A320 de la aerolínea brasileña TAM se sale de la pista al aterrizar en el aeropuerto de Congonhas, en Sao Paulo (Brasil) y choca contra un edificio causando 199 muertos (187 ocupantes del avión y 12 alcanzados en tierra).

21 febrero 2008.- Un avión ATR 42300 de fabricación franco-italiana, con 43 pasajeros y tres tripulantes, de la aerolínea Santa Bárbara, desaparece cuando volaba entre Mérida y Caracas (Venezuela).

1 junio 2009.- Un Airbus A-330 de Air France se precipita en aguas del Atlántico cuando volaba de Río de Janeiro (Brasil) a París. Mueren las 228 personas que viajaban a bordo, la mayoría brasileños y franceses. Según el análisis de las cajas negras, el accidente se debió a un error de los pilotos, lo que exculpa al fabricante, Airbus.

5 noviembre 2010.- Fallecen los 68 ocupantes de un avión comercial -un ATR-72 de dos motores turbohélice para viajes regionales- de la aerolínea cubana Aerocaribean, al estrellarse en la región de Guasimal en la provincia de Sancti Spiritus, Cuba.

28 noviembre 2016.- Mueren 71 de los 77 ocupantes de un avión Avro RJ 85 de la compañía boliviana Lamia que se estrelló cerca del aeropuerto de Medellín (Colombia).

18 mayo 2018.- Fallecen 112 de los 113 ocupantes de un Boeing 737 de Cubana de Aviación, alquilado a la mexicana Global Air, que cubría la ruta entre La Habana y Holguín. El avión se estrelló instantes después de despegar a 1 kilómetro del aeropuerto de La Habana.

9 diciembre 2019.- Desaparece un avión C-130 Hércules de la Fuerza Aérea de Chile, con 38 personas a bordo, a los que se dio por muertos, cuando se dirigía a la base antártica chilena Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva desde la Base Aérea Chabunco de Punta Arenas.

9 agosto 2024.- Un avión con 61 personas a bordo se estrella en una zona residencial en el municipio brasileño de Vinhedo, en el estado de Sao Paulo, Brasil. El aparato era un avión bimotor modelo ATR-72-500 de la aerolínea Voepass y que viajaba desde la ciudad de Cascavel hasta Sao Paulo.

28 de febrero de 2026.- Un avión militar de carga de la Fuerza Aérea Boliviana (FAB), un Hércules C-130 que transportaba dinero del Banco Central de Bolivia, se estrelló al intentar aterrizar en el aeropuerto internacional de El Alto, la segunda ciudad más poblada del país, provocando la muerte de 22 de sus tripulantes

23 marzo 2026.- Un avión Hércules C-130 de la Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (FAC) se accidenta al despegar de la localidad amazónica de Puerto Leguízamo, en el departamento del Putumayo (Colombia). Iban 125 personas a bordo, en su mayoría militares, de las cuales al menos 48 sobrevivieron con heridas.

A phalanx of reporters and photographers trailed House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, out of the Capitol and across the Capitol grounds last Thursday morning.

The Trump administration planned to ask Congress for an additional $200 billion to cover the cost of the war in Iran. Passing such a plan might be dicey. Especially vaulting the 60 vote barricade in the Senate. But House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Arrington were already touting a «reconciliation» bill for this year to approve some of the GOP’s domestic policy priorities ahead of the midterms. Reconciliation is inoculated from a Senate filibuster. And other Republicans may be on board with the extra $200 billion if it’s tucked into a reconciliation package which tackles other subjects.

«I think reconciliation is probably going to be the only vehicle that we put anything in because the Democrats aren’t going to support it,» said Arrington, briskly traversing a set of congressional steps near the plaza, bound for Independence Avenue. «I don’t think they’ll support the supplemental for the operating needs for our military while they’re in conflict.»

«The Senate seems kind of suspect of trying to do this,» yours truly followed up as the gaggle of reporters and photographers trekked the Capitol grounds toward the street.

PENTAGON SEEKS AT LEAST $200B FROM CONGRESS FOR IRAN WAR

«The Senate is going to be suspect and slow to be motivated. Which is why the House is the little engine that can. And when the little engine that can, does, then the Senate and other people follow. The House has to lead,» replied Arrington. «We led in the first reconciliation bill. It wouldn’t have been as big or beautiful if we didn’t do our job on the tax cuts. On the spending cuts. On the energy reforms. On the generational welfare reforms.»

The scrum edged closer to Independence Avenue in the shadow of the Longworth House Office Building.

«I’ve got to walk across here. I’m late for a meeting. Y’all can follow me,» instructed Arrington, to the press, pivoting into the crosswalk just as the traffic light changed to green.

THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO CONGRESS’ OPTIONS ON HAMSTRINGING TRUMP’S WAR POWERS IN IRAN

Three journalists followed the Texas Republican into the street. However, your trusty journalist (and Wayne Elementary School Safety Town participant) remained on the corner.

Two cars and a bus accelerated.

«Wait! Careful! Careful! Careful! Careful! Careful! Careful!» I hollered.

Arrington and the others scurried back to the curb.

«See, you lead. They follow. But they may die,» observed Arrington.

«Are you going to lead the Senate right into a crosswalk with traffic?» I inquired.

Arrington pivoted – both back to the curb and to policy – as cars and scooters whizzed by.

Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, says he thinks «reconciliation is probably going to be the only vehicle that we put anything in.» (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

«I think my counterpart, (Senate Budget Committee Chairman) Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., understands that the only train leaving the station for the bigger vision for our military will be a reconciliation bill,» said Arrington.

It’s unclear whether Arrington switching to railroads and locomotives was the best rhetorical shift considering the close call on the street. But Arrington may be right. It will be challenging to pass anything substantial for the rest of this Congress. And perhaps zippering the $200 billion for the war into a reconciliation measure with other policy sweeteners could be the most palatable option to Republicans.

«We have to continue to look at offsetting,» said Rep. Tony Wied, R-Wis.

«I think it should be offset,» said Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn.

«It is expensive,» conceded House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., about the spending request.

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: GOP PUSHES ELECTION SECURITY BILL DESPITE SLIM ODDS, AS TRUMP PRESSURE LOOMS

But offsets come from cuts. And lawmakers don’t like to slash programs important to their jurisdiction, state or district.

«A lot of the VA stuff, that’s like the third rail in politics. You don’t cut that,» said Bost.

What could contribute to an offset? Arrington suggested Republicans should turn to the time-tested Washington law firm of «Waste, Fraud and Abuse» to mitigate the cost of the war.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., replied «no» when asked about the supplemental spending request.

«It is skyrocketing prices of everything across the board, and Congress didn’t even approve. And so to have the audacity to come to Congress to fund a war that we have not even voted for it – not only is it illegal, it is insulting,» said Ocasio-Cortez.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is a firm «no» on the supplemental spending request, saying «we cannot enable this kind of reckless and illegal behavior.» (Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

I asked about whether it was dangerous for lawmakers to leave American troops in the lurch when they’re exposed to hostilities abroad.

«They should have thought about that before they entered a conflict without Congress,» said Ocasio-Cortez. «They told everybody that it was just a quick in and out strike and now they have found themselves in a disaster. And we cannot enable this kind of reckless and illegal behavior.»

Ocasio-Cortez is hinting at the ultimate Congressional authority: power of the purse. Lawmakers are charged with approving 12 spending bills to run the government each year. A supplemental spending package – say for war, terrorism, recovery from natural disasters or economic stimulus – is a «13th» spending bill. It’s plopped on top of the customary 12. Lawmakers could really hamstring the war in Iran if they decide to pull the funding.

The White House scored about $1 trillion from Congress in Fiscal Year 2026 for the military. President Trump’s request for the Pentagon for Fiscal Year 2027 – still unapproved – is $1.5 trillion. That’s a 50 percent increase. That particular ask of Congress came before the $200 billion ask for the war in Iran.

DEMS’ POTENTIAL 2028 HOPEFULS COME OUT AGAINST US STRIKES ON IRAN

The president has sent mixed signals as to whether the war is «ending.» A reporter asked President Trump if he still needed the $200 billion.

«It’s always nice to have. It’s a very inflamed world. And the Democrats inflame it,» replied the president.

But it’s generally believed that the Pentagon needs the money because it’s burned through so many munitions in Iran.

So this supplemental spending request must navigate the Congressional traffic.

Regular traffic and pedestrian signals switch on a regular basis. But not necessarily political signals. There’s no way right now for lawmakers to greenlight an extra $200 billion for the war. That’s because the «don’t walk» light is flashing.

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The question now is how long it takes for the light to change. Or, if it will ever cycle through. Otherwise, Congressional leaders could put the bill on the floor – and get mowed down by a political bus.

The Senate confirmed Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., as the ninth Homeland Security secretary, capping a sprint to replace embattled outgoing Secretary Kristi Noem.

It also caps off a 13-year career in Congress that began in the House and saw Mullin score a seat in the Senate in 2021 where he became the de facto bridge between both chambers, helping to build trust between the House and Senate during last year’s push to pass the «big, beautiful bill.» Ahead of the vote he arrived flanked by his family, and was excited to cast his final vote on himself.  

Mullin, who was picked by President Donald Trump earlier this month to lead the Department of Homeland Security, was confirmed on a largely party-line vote. Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., joined nearly every Republican to clinch his nomination.

Heinrich said he bucked his party because he has seen that Mullin — who co-chairs the Senate Legislative Branch spending committee with him — «is not someone who can simply be bullied into changing his views.»

MULLIN’S CONFIRMATION SURVIVES KEY TEST VOTE AS DHS REMAINS SHUT DOWN

«And I look forward to having a secretary who doesn’t take their orders from Stephen Miller,» Heinrich said.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., was the only Republican to vote against Mullin, citing their chilly relationship and Mullin’s past comments that his 2017 assault was «justified.»

Mullin’s confirmation also saw the close of a whirlwind month in which Noem was reassigned after an explosive pair of hearings on Capitol Hill, as well as the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

SCHUMER GAMBIT FAILS AS DHS SHUTDOWN HITS 36 DAYS AND AIRPORT LINES GROW

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem testifies in a hearing in Washington in March 2026. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Still, Noem’s ousting and Mullin’s ascension have done little to shift Senate Democrats from their position. They continue to demand sweeping reforms to ICE and have so far blocked funding to the agency five times, along with several GOP attempts to temporarily extend funding to DHS.

The path to ending the shutdown appeared to become more complicated over the weekend.

Both sides began meeting for the first time during the shutdown, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., characterizing the talks as «productive.»

However, Trump threw a wrench into negotiations Sunday night, writing on Truth Social: «I don’t think we should make any deal with the Crazy, Country Destroying, Radical Left Democrats unless, and until, they vote with Republicans to pass ‘THE SAVE AMERICA ACT.’»

GOP SENATOR’S GAMBIT EXPOSES FALSE DEM CLAIMS ABOUT SUPPORTING VOTER ID

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport on March 23, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. President Trump is traveling to Tennessee before returning to Washington. (Roberto Schmidt / Getty Images)

«In other words, lump everything together as one, and VOTE!!! Kill the Filibuster, and stay in D.C. for Easter, if necessary,» Trump said.

That comes after Thune suggested to the president that Republicans could carve out ICE and Customs and Border Protection funding from a broader DHS package and instead fund those agencies through budget reconciliation.

Canceling recess may be a hard sell in the upper chamber, given that votes this past weekend were plagued by absences. When asked if he would cancel the upcoming two-week break, Thune said, «We’ll see.» 

A cohort of Senate Republicans met with Trump ahead of Mullin’s confirmation vote. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., told reporters after that the meeting went «really well.» 

When asked if Republicans had a solution to end the closure, she said, «We do.» 

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Still, Senate Democrats remain unified in their opposition to the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.

«We’re ready to meet with the White House today to keep talking,» Schumer said. «In fact, we were going to meet this morning with Tom Homan. But apparently the White House pulled that meeting because of Donald Trump’s temper tantrum. They’re all scrambling around there in the White House. They don’t know what to do.»