Colombia’s Immigration Policy Placed in the Hands of a Retired Police Officer
Migracion Colombia, an entity attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the highest authority responsible for migration monitoring and control in the national territory, was placed under the direction of Jose Luis Castaneda Tiria, a seasoned retired lieutenant colonel of the National Police.
The new director will bring his career focused on strategic intelligence, public security and the dismantling of criminal networks.
This profile responds directly to the current situation in the region: a complex border dynamic that requires rapid institutional responses, secure protection of national borders and absolute respect for the dignity and rights of people in a situation of mobility.
Strengthening institutional capabilities
Castañeda Tiria’s management will focus on transforming Migracion Colombia into a modern, efficient and technologically advanced agency, aligned with the policies of the National Government and the international agreements signed by the State.
According to Castañeda Tiria, the new administration will develop a strategy based on strengthening institutional capabilities through three priority lines of action: infrastructure, technological capabilities and cutting-edge equipment.
A very important component will also be prioritized: human capital, which will focus on advanced training and continuous education programs to guarantee good service to both citizens and foreigners.
This modernization plan will be complemented by a profound reengineering of the entity’s processes and entire organizational structure.
With this appointment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs projects a clear vision for the country’s migration policy: a model where strategic security, public order and global cooperation coexist with the protection and guarantee of the human rights of nationals and foreigners.
Applying De la Espriella’s migration policy
That policy will follow the guidelines of President Abelardo de la Espriella, which are based on what he said, for example, on the occasion of the visit to Colombia by United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“Our principle is the same one shared by the United States. We are not against migration. We are against illegal migration, which is different,” De la Espriella said.
“I am not going to accept illegal immigrants, wherever they come from, who are committing wrongdoing in Colombia. They leave and we deport them. It is a political and administrative decision,” De la Espriella had said when he announced his new policy, which will disproportionately affect Venezuelan migrants.
Regarding Venezuela, the president said during Rubio’s visit that “it is not a distant matter.” “We share more than 2,000 km of living border with the neighboring country, and of course everything that happens in Venezuela has direct consequences in Colombia in terms of security, migration, drug trafficking, smuggling, armed organizations and also energy.”
De la Espriella said that he had told Secretary Rubio that Colombia’s foreign policy is based on the fundamental principle that it relates to the world from its own national interests, with sovereignty, autonomy, pragmatism and a long-term vision.
“In that regard, we are perfectly connected with the United States. Colombia has natural resources, geographic position, human talent and strategic assets,” the president stressed. “Our diplomacy must turn those strengths into opportunities to consolidate ourselves as the best partner of the United States.”