BARRANQUILLA — Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella announced coordinated police and migration operations to detain and deport migrants in irregular status or who have committed crimes. The joint operations are set to begin "this very week" following a cabinet meeting held on Sunday in Barranquilla.

The president outlined the scope of the enforcement effort during the gathering, directing authorities to prioritize specific groups for removal. "Let the coordinated operations begin to track down illegal immigrants: first, those committing crimes; second, those who have not regularised their status and who will have to be deported immediately," de la Espriella said. He emphasized a nationalist approach to the policy, stating it would be "Colombians first, Colombians second and Colombians third."

De la Espriella reinforced this stance in a video posted to his X account, taking personal responsibility for the directive. "I will not accept any illegal immigrants, wherever they come from. They will have to leave and be deported. It is a political decision I am taking responsibility for," he stated.

The president also addressed criminal organizations, declaring that all gangs involved in drug trafficking, illegal mining, extortion and smuggling were "terrorists and we will treat them as such. Whatever happens, we will defeat them, by reason or by force."

The announcement targets a population within the country, as Venezuelans account for roughly 90% of all migrants in Colombia. Official data indicates there are 2.8 million Venezuelans living in the nation. Of this total, about 848,000 are in an irregular situation, and 193,000 of those individuals are children and adolescents.

Under Colombian law, being in the country without proper documentation is not a crime, and there is no legal category of "illegal" immigrant, only migrants in an "irregular situation. This legal framework contrasts with the terminology used in the president's announcement. Senator María José Pizarro Rodríguez offered a different perspective on the approach, arguing for regularization over enforcement."

Instead of persecuting people fleeing poverty and violence, regularise their status. There are thousands of migrants who work hard and contribute to the economies of the countries that receive them," she stated."

Implementation of the new deportation orders faces immediate administrative hurdles. Colombia’s national immigration department stated via text message that the agency is currently without a director. The department further stated via text message that it will only implement the new policies once a new director is appointed and installed. Abelardo Gabriel de la Espriella Otero is the founder and leader of the far-right Defenders of the Homeland party, which was established initially as a movement in 2024.

Why It Matters

The Venezuela Observatory at Universidad del Rosario reported 848,000 Venezuelans in irregular status as of 2026, with 193,000 minors among them, challenging claims of widespread criminality linked to irregular migrants. The disconnect between the president's characterization of "illegal" immigrants and the legal reality that irregular status is not a crime creates uncertainty about the operational basis for the deportations. Furthermore, the absence of a director at Migración Colombia creates uncertainty about the timeline for executing the president's order to begin operations "this very week."

What's New

Abelardo de la Espriella stated in a video on his X account: "I will not accept any illegal immigrants, wherever they come from. They will have to leave and be deported. It is a political decision I am taking responsibility for." Migración Colombia data from January 2026 indicates that 82% of Venezuelan migrants hold regular status, with approximately 500,000 Venezuelans in irregular situations.

The United Nations refugee agency estimated 3 million Venezuelans living in Colombia as of 2025, higher than the 2.8 million cited in official Colombian data.

The Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan Migrants, established by decree in March 2021, provided free temporary protection permits and became a cornerstone of Colombia’s migration policy for over a decade. Andrés Sampayo, a Political Studies doctor, estimated Venezuelan migrants contribute approximately USD 3 billion annually to Colombia’s economy through consumption, taxes, and entrepreneurship. Colombia’s national immigration service granted temporary residence permits to about 2.3 million Venezuelans under a scheme rolled out in 2021. Colombia’s national immigration service (Migración Colombia) stated it would only implement the new policies after appointing a new director, citing administrative delays.

How Sources Differ

Sources present conflicting figures regarding the proportion of Venezuelan migrants. The primary source and Venezuelans account for roughly 90% of all migrants in Colombia. In contrast, web sources citing Migración Colombia data from January 2026 indicate that 82% of Venezuelan migrants hold regular status, with approximately 500,000 Venezuelans in irregular situations.

Estimates of the irregular migrant population also vary. The primary source and about 848,000 Venezuelans in Colombia are in an irregular situation. However, web sources citing Migración Colombia data from January 2026 indicate that approximately 500,000 Venezuelans are in irregular situations.

Total population estimates show discrepancy as well. Web sources note that the United Nations refugee agency estimated 3 million Venezuelans living in Colombia as of 2025, significantly higher than the 2.8 million cited in official Colombian data. The United Nations source itself states there are 2.8 million Venezuelans living in Colombia.

Details regarding the national immigration service also differ in focus. The Colombia national immigration service notes that it granted temporary residence permits to about 2.3 million Venezuelans under a scheme rolled out in 2021. Web sources highlight that Colombia’s national immigration service (Migración Colombia) stated it would only implement the new policies after appointing a new director, citing administrative delays.