Colombia’s newly elected conservative president, Abelardo de la Espriella, announced Sunday that his government will launch mass deportation operations starting as early as this week, marking a sharp break from the country’s recent leftist leadership. According to the Associated Press, the president said national immigration authorities, working alongside Colombian police, will first target undocumented immigrants who are committing crimes before sweeping in those who lack legal status.
“I will not accept any illegal immigrants, wherever they come from,” de la Espriella said in a video statement. “They will have to leave and be deported. It is a political decision I am taking responsibility for.” The comments signal a dramatic pivot for a nation that, under previous leadership, had become one of the world’s largest hosts for Venezuelan migrants fleeing economic collapse.
A Shift from Amnesty to Enforcement
The move reverses years of relatively open-door policy. In 2021, Colombia granted temporary residence permits to roughly 2.3 million Venezuelan migrants, according to the AP. As of August, nearly 2.8 million Venezuelan nationals were living in the country, making up the vast majority of its migrant population. De la Espriella’s announcement suggests a new era of enforcement, with the president vowing to deport those without legal status rather than extend further protections.
The conservative leader, who took office just three weeks ago, has made immigration a central pillar of his agenda, promising a tougher line than his predecessor. The AP reported that de la Espriella was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, and his election has already drawn praise from U.S. officials eager for closer cooperation on migration issues.
Warm Relations with Washington
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he “looks forward to working closely” with de la Espriella to “end illegal immigration to the United States,” among other initiatives. The sentiment underscores a broader realignment in Latin America, where several countries—including Honduras, Costa Rica, Chile, Bolivia, and Ecuador—have recently elected right-wing leaders. Colombia’s shift is part of that trend, and de la Espriella has signaled a desire for warmer ties with Washington after years of friction.
That friction reached a peak under de la Espriella’s predecessor, Gustavo Petro, a leftist who temporarily refused to accept U.S. deportation flights. At the time, Petro said, “The U.S. cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals,” prompting a standoff with the White House. President Trump threatened new tariffs, and Petro ultimately relented, but the episode left relations icy.
Now, de la Espriella appears intent on turning the page. His administration has already begun laying groundwork for the raids, which the AP says will start with immigrants accused of crimes before expanding to those simply in the country without authorization. The president framed the effort as a matter of national sovereignty, insisting that no illegal immigrant will be allowed to stay, regardless of origin.
What’s Next
Details on the scope and timeline of the deportation campaign remain sparse, but the announcement has already sparked debate in a country long seen as a regional haven for migrants. Advocates worry about the humanitarian impact, while supporters argue the new policy restores order and aligns Colombia with conservative allies across the hemisphere.
For now, de la Espriella is moving quickly, promising action within days. Whether the raids will face legal challenges or logistical hurdles is unclear, but the president’s message is unmistakable: Colombia’s era of amnesty is over.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/colombias-new-conservative-president-announces-mass-deportations