High-ranking officials from the United States, Colombia, and Venezuela convened in Cartagena de Indias this week to engage in discussions centered around enhancing their collaboration in dealing with irregular migration.
The three countries discussed various policies to achieve this goal. They explored measures to promote the socioeconomic regularization and integration of migrants, as well as to protect migrants in vulnerable conditions by establishing legal pathways and ensuring their rights are respected.
The meeting, led by Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Gilberto Murillo, United States Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, and Panamanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Eduardo Martinez-Ach, delved into important discussions on the rising repatriation of migrants and the growing development aid.
The three high-ranking officials emphasized the advancements achieved by their governments over the past three years. They stated that their collective efforts have been instrumental in facilitating the regularization of 2.5 million Venezuelan migrants in Colombia. Furthermore, they have successfully established Safe Mobility Offices, which grant migrants access to legal pathways to the United States. Additionally, Colombia has expanded its regularization process to include Venezuelans who are not covered under its temporary protection status.
In regards to human trafficking, they have made a commitment to enhance their collaboration in dismantling human trafficking and migrant smuggling networks, as well as enhancing the provision of humanitarian assistance to migrant populations and other vulnerable groups.
During his address to the meeting, Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized the significant contribution that the progress made by all three countries will have in reducing the smuggling of people through the Gulf of Urabá and the Darién Gap. He also highlighted the importance of governments taking concrete and realistic actions to hold smugglers accountable.
Mayorkas expressed that these measures would advance their efforts in promoting regularization, enhancing control and regulation mechanisms for individuals in transit, strengthening information sharing, and addressing protection mechanisms for vulnerable populations.
The three partner countries also vowed to encourage dialogue with other nations in the region to decrease irregular migration by promoting safer, more organized, and compassionate alternatives. They acknowledged that the irregular migration flow along the Colombia-Panama border has global consequences, encompassing individuals from over 90 different nationalities, as some enter the region via third countries.
Representatives from Colombia and Panama highlighted the significance of safeguarding strategic ecosystems and local communities along their shared border. As part of their agreement, they have decided to enhance the presence of both Colombian and Panamanian authorities along the border. Additionally, they aim to improve control and regulation mechanisms by exchanging information and implementing identity verification measures.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is excited about further enhancing the cooperation between our three nations,” stated Mayorkas. “We also look forward to working closely with our partners across the Hemisphere to implement and rigorously enforce a strategy that addresses the significant migratory flows that are posing challenges to our countries,” he further emphasized.
