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Colombia President orders deportation of irregular migrants
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has ordered the immediate commencement of coordinated operations between Migración Colombia and the National Police to identify and deport undocumented migrants. The directive, announced during a security council meeting in Barranquilla, establishes a two-tiered priority system: enforcement will first target foreigners involved in criminal activities, followed by those without regularized migratory status.
The policy represents a significant hardening of Colombia’s migration stance. While the administration emphasizes that the measures are intended to combat criminal networks, such as those operating in the Darién region, the announcement has caused widespread uncertainty among the Venezuelan population. Approximately 2.8 million Venezuelans reside in Colombia, with over 527,000 estimated to be in an irregular situation.
Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara clarified that the deportation orders are not intended to affect Venezuelans who have already obtained legal status or are under special protection regimes. However, the shift in policy marks a departure from previous administrations that focused more on integration and temporary residency for the Venezuelan diaspora.
Entities
Abelardo De La Espriella · Acnur · Barranquilla · Colombia · Migración Colombia · Policía Nacional de Colombia · Policía de Barranquilla · Rodrigo Lara · UNHCR · Venezuela
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 34 SOURCES] Migration enforcement will prioritize foreigners involved in criminal activities before those with irregular status. www.cablenoticias.com · www.metro1.com.br · somosfan.com · theglittersonline.com.ng · tiempodigital.mx · +26 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] As of June, 2.8 million Venezuelans were living in Colombia, with over 527,000 undocumented. theglittersonline.com.ng · jovempan.com.br · dominicanrepublicpost.com · www.estadao.com.br · jornaldebrasilia.com.br · +11 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The government will treat all illegal armed groups under a single terrorist category. noticiaslatam.lat · monitoreamos.com
- [● 34 SOURCES] Migración Colombia will coordinate with the Police to conduct these operations. www.cablenoticias.com · somosfan.com · notifalcon.com · www.metro1.com.br · tiempodigital.mx · +26 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Approximately 3 million Venezuelans were living in Colombia as of 2025. www.metro1.com.br · tiempodigital.mx · jornaldebrasilia.com.br · www.diariodocentrodomundo.com.br · eltiempomx.com · +2 more
- [● 34 SOURCES] The President ordered that deportation operations against irregular migrants must begin this week. www.cablenoticias.com · www.metro1.com.br · somosfan.com · theglittersonline.com.ng · tiempodigital.mx · +26 more
- [● 34 SOURCES] President Abelardo de la Espriella announced a policy prioritizing Colombian citizens in national security and migration matters. www.cablenoticias.com · www.metro1.com.br · somosfan.com · theglittersonline.com.ng · tiempodigital.mx · +26 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The President announced an intensified offensive against criminal groups, reporting 1,574 captures and 10 extraditions. www.riotimesonline.com · portalgilbertosilva.com.br
- [● 2 SOURCES] The government claims deportation orders will not affect Venezuelans with regularized status. www.diariodecolombia.com · www.notitarde.com.ve