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Colombia President orders crackdown and deportations of irregular migrants FAST-MOVING
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has ordered a major crackdown on irregular migration, mandating coordinated operations between Migración Colombia and the national police. During a security council meeting in Barranquilla, the President announced that deportation procedures must begin this week.
The administration has established a clear hierarchy for enforcement: priority will be given to identifying and detaining foreign nationals involved in criminal activities, followed by those who are in the country without regularized migratory status. De la Espriella emphasized a nationalist stance, stating, “First the Colombians, second the Colombians, and third the Colombians.”
This policy shift comes as Colombia continues to host a large Venezuelan population; UNHCR estimates approximately 3 million Venezuelans were living in the country as of 2025, with over 527,000 remaining undocumented. In addition to migration controls, the President announced an intensified security offensive against organized crime, including a new strategy to classify all illegal armed groups as terrorists and the reactivation of financial intelligence units to combat criminal financing.
Entities
Abelardo De La Espriella · Barranquilla · Colombia · Migración Colombia · Policía de Barranquilla · UNHCR
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 11 SOURCES] Migration enforcement will prioritize foreigners involved in criminal activities before those with irregular status. curadas.com · www.cablenoticias.com · www.metro1.com.br · somosfan.com · theglittersonline.com.ng · +6 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] As of June, 2.8 million Venezuelans were living in Colombia, with over 527,000 undocumented. theglittersonline.com.ng · jovempan.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The government will treat all illegal armed groups under a single terrorist category. noticiaslatam.lat
- [● 4 SOURCES] Migración Colombia will coordinate with the Police to conduct these operations. curadas.com · www.cablenoticias.com · somosfan.com · www.prensa-latina.cu
- [● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 3 million Venezuelans were living in Colombia as of 2025. www.metro1.com.br · tiempodigital.mx · jornaldebrasilia.com.br
- [● 11 SOURCES] The President ordered that deportation operations against irregular migrants must begin this week. curadas.com · www.cablenoticias.com · www.metro1.com.br · somosfan.com · theglittersonline.com.ng · +6 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] President Abelardo de la Espriella announced a policy prioritizing Colombian citizens in national security and migration matters. curadas.com · www.cablenoticias.com · www.metro1.com.br · somosfan.com · theglittersonline.com.ng · +6 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The President announced an intensified offensive against criminal groups, reporting 1,574 captures and 10 extraditions. www.riotimesonline.com