Colombia's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, described by the Guardian as far-right, has announced an immigration crackdown, ordering authorities to detain and deport people who are in the country irregularly or have committed crimes.
Key facts
- President Abelardo de la Espriella announced the crackdown on Sunday.
- He ordered authorities to detain and deport people who are in the country irregularly or have committed crimes.
- Operations to 'track down illegal immigrants' should begin this week, according to the president.
- The announcement comes as Colombia recovers from a 7.4-magnitude earthquake on 10 August that killed more than 300 people and destroyed more than 30,000 homes.
- De la Espriella has been in office for just over two weeks.
Colombia’s president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has announced a crackdown on immigrants, ordering authorities to detain and deport people who are in the country irregularly or who have committed crimes, according to the Guardian.
In office for just over two weeks, the president made the announcement on Sunday. He said operations to ‘track down illegal immigrants’ should begin this week, the Guardian reported.
The Guardian, which describes de la Espriella as a far-right leader and a millionaire former lawyer, said the move echoes his ally, US President Donald Trump, and Trump’s own hardline immigration policies.
The announcement comes as Colombia continues to grapple with the aftermath of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck on 10 August. According to the Guardian, the disaster killed more than 300 people and destroyed more than 30,000 homes.
Why it matters
The announcement is an early policy move by Colombia's new government and comes while the country is recovering from a deadly earthquake. Further details on how the operations will be carried out have not yet been reported.
Frequently asked questions
What did Colombia's president announce?
President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered authorities to detain and deport people who are in Colombia irregularly or who have committed crimes, with operations to begin this week, according to the Guardian.
When did the earthquake happen and how severe was it?
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on 10 August 2026, killing more than 300 people and destroying more than 30,000 homes, according to the Guardian.
How long has de la Espriella been in office?
According to the Guardian, de la Espriella had been in office for just over two weeks when he made the announcement.