Colombia’s new president faces backlash over ‘inhumane’ deportation policy
News Source
•Fri, 28 Aug 2026 19:26:15 +0000
📰 What Happened
Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has announced a deportation campaign against foreigners living in the country without legal status. He ordered police to start operations as soon as this week. Opposition politicians and migrant groups have called the plan “inhumane”.
The policy would mainly hit Venezuelans, the largest migrant group in Colombia. De la Espriella said he will not accept any illegal immigrants, wherever they come from. His government will first target people committing crimes, then those whose paperwork is not in order. This is a sharp break from earlier leaders, who mostly tried to create legal paths for migrants.
🔍 The Backstory
Millions of Venezuelans fled their country after 2015, when its economy collapsed and food and medicine ran short. Colombia took in far more than any other nation. Past governments gave many migrants temporary permits and legal routes to stay.
De la Espriella, a far-right leader sworn in earlier this month, promised a tough line on armed groups and now on migration. Critics say mass deportations would split up families and hurt an economy that leans on migrant workers. Rights groups warn the crackdown will push people into hiding and make life more dangerous for them.
🎯 Why It Matters
This decision changes the lives of millions of families overnight. It also shows how a new government can quickly rewrite the rules for ordinary people, including who gets to call a country home.
Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has announced a deportation campaign against foreigners living in the country without legal status. He ordered police to start operations as soon as this week. Opposition politicians and migrant groups have called the plan “inhumane”.
The policy would mainly hit Venezuelans, the largest migrant group in Colombia. De la Espriella said he will not accept any illegal immigrants, wherever they come from. His government will first target people committing crimes, then those whose paperwork is not in order. This is a sharp break from earlier leaders, who mostly tried to create legal paths for migrants.
Millions of Venezuelans fled their country after 2015, when its economy collapsed and food and medicine ran short. Colombia took in far more than any other nation. Past governments gave many migrants temporary permits and legal routes to stay.
De la Espriella, a far-right leader sworn in earlier this month, promised a tough line on armed groups and now on migration. Critics say mass deportations would split up families and hurt an economy that leans on migrant workers. Rights groups warn the crackdown will push people into hiding and make life more dangerous for them.
This decision changes the lives of millions of families overnight. It also shows how a new government can quickly rewrite the rules for ordinary people, including who gets to call a country home.