Colombian Migration Officers Launch Work Slowdown Protest Snarling Airport Arrivals & Departures

International travelers passing through Colombia’s major airports may face significant delays as migration workers began a new phase of “plan tortuga” (tortoise plan) or work slowdown. The protest, led by the two main unions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs —the Union Nacional Sindical de Empleados de Migración Colombia y Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (UNASEMIG) and the Organización Sindical de Empleados de Migración Colombia (OSEMCO)—is a response to what the workers say is the Colombian government’s failure to follow through on key labor agreements made in late 2024. In December, they had reached an agreement soon after they declared the “plan tortuga” that led to chaos at major airports amid peak season and sparked widespread criticism.

As Yeison Mesa, leader of OSEMCO, told Bogota television channel CityTv, the protest stems from months of unfulfilled commitments and the lack of government response. The demands include the redesign of the agency’s organizational structure and the implementation of a decree allocating a budget for bonuses for workers.

The actions are in response to the government’s failure to implement measures promised last winter, such as hiring additional staff to meet the rise in air traffic.

Just before the current protest, workers carried out symbolic demonstrations, such as covering Migración Colombia offices and border posts with protest posters. While the unions insist that they are open to dialogue, they are pushing for long-overdue improvements to working conditions and the proper functioning of Colombia’s migration services and will keep the “plan tortuga” until the implementation of the agreements made with former Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo.

The protest does not involve a full work stoppage. Instead, migration officers will continue their duties, such as stamping passports and verifying documents, but will strictly adhere to all formal protocols, significantly slowing the process. This tactic, commonly referred to in Colombia as a “plan tortuga,” is expected to generate long lines and extended wait times at international entry and exit points.

Airports expected to be most affected include El Dorado in Bogotá, José María Córdova in Rionegro (serving Medellín), and Alfonso Bonilla Aragón in Cali — Colombia’s busiest international terminals. The unions have urged travelers to arrive at least four hours early for their flights to account for the slowdowns. Meanwhile, Migración Colombia, the government agency overseeing migration procedures, echoed the advice through their social media platforms and website and encouraged passengers to remain informed through official channels.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has also raised concerns, warning that the slowdown could harm airport efficiency and airline punctuality. In a statement, the organization urged passengers to use the BioMig system — an automated migration checkpoint for registered travelers — and to stay informed on flight status. The IATA also emphasized that airlines should not be held accountable for delays caused by labor disputes outside their control.

Headline photo: El Dorado Airport. (Photo: Carolina Cuervo)