LOS ANGELES — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Franklin Humberto Coral Garrido, a 40-year-old Colombian activist, content creator, columnist, and former congressional candidate, on a Tuesday in Los Angeles. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson identified Coral Garrido as an undocumented immigrant from Colombia and stated that he remained in the U.S. for ten years beyond his visa's authorized period.

Coral Garrido entered the U.S. in December 2015 on a B1/B2 visa, which authorized a six-month stay. He has since resided in the United States. He will remain in immigration custody pending deportation proceedings.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro requested that the Colombian Embassy in the U.S. intervene to seek Coral Garrido's release. Petro said, "La Cancillería tiene que solicitar su libertad porque esa es una persecución política incentivada por el candidato de los Estados Unidos, ciudadano de los Estados Unidos y víctima un ciudadano de Colombia."

U.S. Senator from Ohio Bernie Moreno referred to Coral Garrido as a "foreign agent." Moreno wrote, "¡Que tengas una buena vida de regreso en Colombia, Beto!" Moreno was born in Bogotá and acquired U.S. citizenship at age 18. Petro responded to Moreno's comments, stating, "El señor Beto Coral no es espía, nosotros no espiamos países extranjeros, el señor Beto Coral es un periodista que no piensa como usted, Bernie Moreno."

The Colombian Embassy in the U.S. and the Consulate General in Los Angeles activated consular assistance. They have maintained contact with U.S. authorities concerning the detention. Coral Garrido is the son of Humberto Coral, a Colombian officer who participated in the 1993 operation that resulted in the death of Pablo Escobar. Coral Garrido authored the book "El día que mataron a mi padre" which details his father's death months after the 1993 operation.