Colombia grapples with massive internal displacement as Americas lead global forced migration

In May 2026, Colombia recorded about 18,000 people affected by forced displacement and confinement, according to the Defensoría del Pueblo. The month saw 2,799 individuals forced to leave their homes due to 15 massive displacement events and 15,045 people restricted by three incidents of violence, with confinement used by illegal armed groups especially in Caquetá and Putumayo. Displacements spanned Antioquia, Bolívar, Cauca, Guainía, Guaviare, Nariño, Norte de Santander and Valle del Cauca, heavily impacting indigenous and Afro‑descendant communities. The new Law 2577 of 2026 recognises climate‑related internal displacement, creating a registry and protection mechanisms.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that the Americas host the world’s largest forced‑migration population, with 22.8 million people displaced by the end of 2025. Colombia is the top host country, sheltering 2.8 million Venezuelan migrants, making it the world’s leading refugee‑receiving nation. The report also highlights large displacement figures in Haiti, Nicaragua and other Central‑American states, underscoring the continent’s escalating humanitarian challenge.