Smuggling of Migrants Resumes in Gulf of Uraba

Colombian authorities have reached an agreement with ferry companies smuggling migrants across the Gulf of Uraba to the Darien Gap. As a result, after halting their operations following the arrest of two boat captains, the companies resumed their activities on March 1, 2024.

The anti-migrant smuggling operation had little effect, notably due to the lack of a legal framework addressing the issue. While Colombian authorities have been pressured by the U.S. to stem the flow of migrants, Colombia is also facing a pressing humanitarian situation caused by the continued presence of illegal migrants on its territory.

Lack of legislation favors smuggling of migrants

The meeting held on March 29, 2024, brought together representatives from the Colombian Government, the Colombian Immigration Department, the Antioquia Department, the Colombian Navy and the ferry companies of Gulf of Uraba city ports Necocli and Turbo to address the issue of migrant smuggling.

Despite national and international pressure to combat migrant smuggling, the Colombian authorities currently lack the legal framework to effectively tackle the phenomenon. Indeed, the ferry companies argued that they are not legally obliged to verify the identities of their passengers, stating that this responsibility falls to the Immigration Department. Consequently, the companies resumed their operations on March 1, 2024, allowing migrants to continue their journey to the Darien Gap.

In response, the Immigration Department has announced the deployment of additional Immigration agents to the ports of Turbo and Necocli to strengthen controls.

A critical situation for migrants

While the Colombian government has announced a new meeting scheduled for March 6, 2024, to address the issue of migrant smuggling in the Gulf of Uraba, the situation remains concerning.

After the suspension of ferry companies’ operations, thousands of migrants found themselves stranded in the coastal cities of Necocli, Turbo, Apartado and Chigorodo. Lacking money for food or places to sleep, the migrants stayed on the streets, provoking a humanitarian crisis.

In this sense, while illegal migration significantly affects the United States, it also poses a critical humanitarian and security issue for the transit countries. As such, the resumption of operations was also a necessity for the safety and stability of the Colombian cities, as the continued presence of migrants poses several challenges.

Gulf of Uraba narco-smugglers

Behind this legal argument, lie more worrying security issues. Migrant smuggling is, above all, a very lucrative business involving powerful actors. Indeed, beyond local political and business figures, migrant flows are controlled by the Clan del Golfo, the most powerful paramilitary and narco group in Colombia. As such, migrant smuggling is one of the organization’s most lucrative activities, generating at least $30 million a year.

With this fact alone, one can fully understand the extensive challenges lying behind the regulation of migrant flows in Colombia.