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The deceleration of the growth curve of the Venezuelan migrant population in Colombia began in 2019, but in February of this year the highest peak was reached, when there were 1,825,687 Venezuelans.
In March, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Venezuelans who were in Colombia began to return to their country. However, Venezuelans are seeing a re-entry into the country: each one of those who left is returning to Colombia with one or two companions.
(You can read: The end of the quarantine reactivates the return of Venezuelans to Colombia)
Even the director of the entity, Juan Francisco Espinosa, announced that he hopes that when the borders are reopened and, after a couple of months, the number of migrants in the country will be 2 million, with estimates of a return of 80% of the 100,000 that left in times of pandemic.
According to the projections of this migratory entity, a return of 80% of the total of migrants that left is expected.
“Once the border is reopened, more or less three or five months later we will have approximately two million Venezuelans in the national territory,” said Juan Francisco Espinosa, director of Migration Colombia.
However, the number of Venezuelans in Colombia continues to fall. As of July 31, 1,731,017 Venezuelans live in the country: 44% regular (765,173) 56% irregular (965,844), and the number of Venezuelans in an irregular condition continues to be higher.
In other words, between February and July, around 95,000 Venezuelan migrants left Colombia.
Additionally, between the ages of 18 and 39, men and women make up 28% of the total population, 51% are men and the remaining women.
(Further: The violence suffered by LGBTI Venezuelan migrants in Colombia)
“This, in terms of opportunities, is very positive for the country because it is a workforce, young people who can contribute to different sectors and industries,” Espinosa said. In addition to that 28%, 12% corresponds to boys, girls and adolescents.
The five departments in which Venezuelan migrants are located are: Bogotá (19%), Norte de Santander (11%), Atlántico (9%), Antioquia (8%) and Guajira (8%). Regarding the cities, there are Bogotá, Cúcuta, Barranquilla, Medellín and Cali.
This fall of Venezuelan migrants in the national territory, in addition to factors such as the pandemic, also comes into play that the Christmas season is approaching, in which Venezuelans return to their country to spend festivities with their loved ones.
However, it should be noted that land, sea and river borders remain closed until November 1, and this means that those who enter the country do so irregularly.
“Venezuelans are not responsible for crime”
Migración Colombia pointed out that, according to data from Inpec, there are more than 2,700 foreigners deprived of liberty and 1,500 are Venezuelans. “That is to say, of the total number of people deprived of liberty, of the total of Venezuelans we find that it is less than 1%, it is 0.08%,” Espinosa said.
“It means that the criminality that is in prisons is not a foreign or Venezuelan criminality,” he said.
Regarding the captures, in 2019 a little more than 11.00 Venezuelans were captured, “which corresponds to 0.62% and is for crimes associated with theft and the possession of narcotics.” He added that in the case of robberies, Venezuelans are responsible for 4% compared to 96% committed by Colombians.
“Is migration responsible for crime in Colombia? No. The migrant population, not Venezuelan or from another country, is guilty of criminality. This does not mean that crimes and crimes are not presented by the migrant population, of course they are presented and must be prosecuted and our position has been quite strong. But we cannot take the easy path of saying that these crimes are generated or that climate of violence is generated by the migrant population, the numbers are absolutely clear, “he said.
New Special Permit of Permanence (PEP)
Migración Colombia announced that Venezuelan migrants will be able to access a new Special Permit of Permanence (PEP) from October 15, 2020 until February 15, 2021.
This document can only be obtained by Venezuelan citizens who entered the country legally through one of the immigration control points before August 31, 2020.
(Can read: The mysterious death of a passenger inside a bus that left Bogotá)
Those interested in obtaining this permit must meet the following requirements:
– Being in Colombian territory on the date of publication of the resolution.
Having entered the national territory through a Migratory Control Post authorized with a passport.
– Have no judicial record at the national and international level.
– Not having an expulsion or deportation measure in force.
– Not having a valid, canceled or expired PEP, PEP-RAMV.
– Not having PEPFF.
– It does not matter if your passport or extension is expired or about to expire, you can process the PEP.
– It does not matter if your stay is expired, you can process the PEP, as long as you have stamped the passport until August 31, 2020.
This was established in resolution 2359 of September 29, 2020. The issuance of this document will be done online, free of charge, through the link that the immigration authority will have on its web portal http://www.migracioncolombia.gov .co, from October 15 to February 15, 2021.
LUISA MERCADO
POLITICAL WRITING
Twitter: @LuisaMercadoD
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