Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has instructed authorities to initiate operations focusing on migrants without regular immigration status and foreign nationals accused of criminal activities. These operations, involving coordination between police and migration officials, are set to commence this week, as announced during a cabinet meeting in Barranquilla. Priority will initially be directed towards migrants engaged in criminal offenses, with subsequent attention on those who have not legalized their stay in the country.
In addition to these immigration measures, President de la Espriella declared a more stringent stance against criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, illegal mining, extortion, and smuggling. He emphasized his administration’s intent to classify these groups as terrorists, indicating an escalated approach to tackling such activities.
The introduction of these immigration policies has sparked criticism from opposition leaders and human rights advocates, who argue that the strategy could destabilize Colombia’s historical approach to aiding migrants, particularly those arriving from Venezuela. With Venezuelans constituting the majority of the migrant population in Colombia, many of whom reportedly live in an irregular status, critics urge the government to prioritize the regularization of migrants instead of implementing extensive deportation policies.
The president’s comments have also ignited discussions about the legal and terminological aspects, as Colombian law typically describes migrants lacking proper documentation as being in an “irregular” situation rather than labeling them as “illegal.” This distinction has been a point of contention in the ongoing debate over the administration’s approach to immigration.