Colombia President announces deportation campaign for undocumented migrants

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has announced a new deportation campaign targeting undocumented foreign nationals, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition politicians and immigrant communities. During a security council meeting, the president ordered police to begin operations as early as this week, stating, “I will not accept any illegal immigrant, regardless of where they come from.”

The policy is expected to primarily impact Venezuelan citizens, who constitute approximately 95 percent of Colombia's migrant population. According to the OECD, roughly 2.8 million Venezuelans reside in Colombia. While nearly 2 million hold Temporary Protection Permits (PPT), migration authorities estimate that approximately 500,000 individuals lack legal status.

De la Espriella, who assumed office earlier this month, indicated that the government will prioritize the deportation of those who commit crimes, followed by those without regularized status. This approach marks a significant departure from previous administrations that focused on creating legal pathways for those fleeing instability in Venezuela.