Colombian Coastguard Intercepts Migrants off San Andres Island

On March 7, 2024, the Colombian coastguard intercepted a vessel transporting 17 migrants, 18 nautical miles (33 kilometers) off the coast of San Andres Island in the Caribbean Sea.

Colombia is a key transit country on the migration route to the United States. Although the primary route passes through the Darien Gap jungle, an alternative route has emerged in recent months, linking San Andres Island to the Nicaraguan coast.

San Andres – Nicaragua migration road

Alerted by a security system, the Colombian coastguard intercepted the small vessel as it was heading to Nicaragua. The boat was transporting 17 individuals from Iran, Romania and Venezuela, including three children.

In recent years, San Andres Island has become a starting point for illegal migration to the United States. As the island is a popular tourist destination, migrants blend into the tourist inflow with passports and flight tickets before starting their journey.

Indeed, San Andres Island is only 56 nautical miles (104 kilometers) from Nicaraguan territory and has become an important hub for migrant trafficking networks. For US$5,000 these networks organize illegal transport from the idyllic island to Nicaragua, either reaching Corn Island or the coastal cities of Bluefields and Pearl Lagoon.

A dangerous journey

While shorter than crossing the Darien jungle, these sea voyages are extremely dangerous, notably because the boats fail to meet the minimal safety requirements. As a result, between August and December 2022, 59 migrants were lost at sea, including children and pregnant women.

Estimating the number of people taking this route is challenging, but it likely reaches thousands each year. According to the Office of the Inspector General of Colombia (Procuraduría General de la Nación), over a thousand individuals were rescued at sea while attempting to reach Nicaragua between 2022 and 2023. Despite its risks, this migration route is international; among the rescued citizens were nationals from Venezuela, Haiti, China, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam or Belarus.