Colombia Plans Massive Regularization of Venezuelan Migrants

Colombia is considering the regularization of over 600,000 migrants, primarily Venezuelans, in the upcoming months. Disclosed by Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo, this announcement came amid a recent public controversy following the leak of a document from the Foreign Ministry.

According to the draft, Colombia would normalize the status of Venezuelan migrants, reinstating the requirement for a valid passport for entry and exit. This plan was publicly denied by President Petro, who assured Venezuelan migrants in the country of the continuation of their special status.

The modalities for migrants regularization

Colombia has been the primary host country for Venezuelan migrants and refugees since the crisis in Venezuela began. Currently, Colombia hosts over 2.8 million Venezuelans, 600,000 of whom still need to regularize their status in the country.

The latest regularization initiative announced by Minister Murillo would be implemented through a family reunification process. This plan specifically aims to regularize underage Venezuelans so that their families can also benefit from this policy, potentially aiding around 350,000 Venezuelans.

 Additionally, Colombia plans to issue special work permits and visas to 250,000 Venezuelan migrants as a means to complete the regularization process.

Perspectives for Venezuelan migrants

Colombia’s special migratory policy began under President Duque with the creation of the Temporary Statute for Venezuelan Persons (ETPV), which grants them a Temporary Protection Permit (PTT), a ten-year visa allowing Venezuelan migrants access to Colombian public services.

This policy has not been challenged since its inception and continues under the Petro administration.

With the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Colombia has today reopened four consulates in Venezuela, in the cities of Caracas, Maracaibo, San Antonio, and San Cristobal.

On the other hand, President Maduro recently called for the return of Venezuelan migrants as part of his ‘Vuelta a la Patria’ (Return to the Homeland) program. However, given the economic situation of the country, it seems highly unlikely that there will be a significant return of the Venezuelan diaspora.

According to an official survey by Colombia’s National Administrative Department of Statistics, 82 percent of Venezuelans living in Colombia are planning to stay in the country.

This trend is also reflected in the recent surge of illegal migration through the Darien Gap. Between January and March, over 70,000 Venezuelans crossed the Darien Gap; in contrast, last year during the same period, the number was only 30,000, marking a 133 percent increase.