Colombia president orders crackdown on illegal migrants

Colombia's right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella has initiated a stringent policy against illegal migration, ordering authorities to detain and deport undocumented foreigners convicted of crimes. This directive was revealed in a leaked video from a security cabinet meeting held Sunday in Barranquilla.

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The order to Immigration (authorities) is clear…first those who are committing crimes, second those who have not regularized their status and who will have to be deported in due course.

"The order to Immigration (authorities) is clear…first those who are committing crimes, second those who have not regularized their status and who will have to be deported in due course," De la Espriella stated in the video. He emphatically declared, "I will not accept illegal migrants, no matter where they come from," announcing that deportation procedures would commence this week under his direct presidential order.

De la Espriella, a lawyer who assumed office on August 7, has prioritized combating crime and drug-trafficking guerrillas. His agenda was temporarily set aside following a devastating earthquake on August 10 that resulted in over 300 deaths and widespread destruction of homes in the country's west.

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I will not accept illegal migrants, no matter where they come from.

Echoing an "America First" sentiment, similar to that of U.S. President Donald Trump, whom he admires, De la Espriella proclaimed, "Colombians, first, Colombians second, Colombians third, may that be clear to everyone." This stance contrasts with previous administrations that were more tolerant of Venezuelan migrants fleeing their country's crisis. Colombia currently hosts an estimated three million Venezuelans who have crossed the border over the past decade.

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Colombians, first, Colombians second, Colombians third, may that be clear to everyone.