Colombia Reporter Leaves U.S. Under Federal Order

A Colombian reporter ordered out of the country by U.S. officials who fear she is a subversive left today, angry and disappointed in America. Her lawyer said she may not return even if cleared by the government.

Patricia Lara, 35, who works for Colombia’s leading newspaper, La Tiempo of Bogota, went home on an Avianca flight bound for Bogota at 10:45 a.m.

U.S. authorities, who refuse to explain their action, detained her Sunday. They ordered her expelled from the country Thursday because they believe that she is linked to Cuban leader Fidel Castro, officials said.

‘Feels . . . Wronged’

“Frankly, she was looking forward to leaving,” said attorney Arthur Helton of the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights. “She firmly feels she has been wronged and wants us to take steps to challenge the basis for actions.”

Lara had come to the United States to attend a journalism awards dinner at Columbia University in New York.

Columbia University President Michael Sovern branded the expulsion “anathema to a free society.” He called on the government to “come forward with whatever justification they claim for their action.”