Colombia: De la Espriella administration shifts migration and gender policies

The administration of Abelardo de la Espriella in Colombia is implementing significant shifts in public policy and language. The Director of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare has faced criticism for removing the word ‘girls’ from official communications, a move that advocacy groups warn could make vulnerable minors invisible in statistics and protection budgets.

Additionally, President De La Espriella has adopted rhetoric regarding ‘illegal migrants,’ signaling a departure from previous Colombian traditions of facilitating the regularization of Venezuelan migrants. Experts note that the term describes an administrative status rather than a criminal offense.

Simultaneously, the liquidation of the Ministry of Equality has placed the National System for the Registration, Care, Follow-up, and Monitoring of Gender-Based Violence (Salvia) at risk. With no clear successor entity defined to manage the system, there are concerns regarding the continuity of protections against feminicide and gender-based violence across the country.