The Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil of Colombia (RNEC), the entity responsible for organizing elections in the country, reported that a total of 14 candidates have officially registered to run in the country’s presidential elections, scheduled for May 31, 2026. In this vote, citizens will elect the President and Vice President of the Republic for the 2026–2030 term.

According to the electoral authority, the candidates represent a wide range of political perspectives, from left to right, including independent candidacies running through political movements. Here the list and brief profile of the candidates:

1. Clara Eugenia López Obregón, currently a senator for the Esperanza Democrática She has served as Minister of Labor (2016–2017), acting mayor of Bogotá (2011–2012), and Bogotá’s secretary of government (2008–2010). She has been affiliated with left-wing parties and was Gustavo Petro’s vice presidential running mate in the 2010 election.
2. Óscar Mauricio Lizcano, from the FAMILIA coalition. He served as Minister of Information Technologies (2023–2025), was a senator (2010–2018), and a member of the House of Representatives (2006–2010).
3. Raúl Santiago Botero, candidate of the “Romper el Sistema” movement (Break the Establishment). An agronomist engineer and businessman from Medellín, he presents himself as an independent candidate with no prior political experience.
4. Miguel Uribe Londoño, father of the slain presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay. He is running under the Colombian Democratic Party and previously served as president of the Centro Democrático party founded by Álvaro Uribe Vélez.
5. Sondra Macollins Garvin, from the movement “La Abogada de Hierro” (The Iron Lawyer) A criminal lawyer and psychologist, she presents herself as an independent candidate without political affiliations. She ran for the House of Representatives in 2022 and is known for her work in narcotrafficking and corruption cases.
6. Iván Cepeda Castro, a senator since 2014 and the official candidate of the Pacto Histórico, the same party as President Gustavo Petro. Polls project he will receive the highest vote share in the first election round. He is aligned with left-wing political ideas.
7. Abelardo de la Espriella, a lawyer with far-right positions, running for the first time under the Defensores de la Patria movement. Recent polls place him as a likely second or third contender in voter preference.
8. Claudia López Hernández, former mayor of Bogotá (2020–2023) and former senator (2014–2018), running under the centrist movement “Imparables con Claudia.” She is known for her anti-corruption agenda and secured her candidacy with more than 570,000 votes (about 9%) in recent interparty primaries.
9. Paloma Valencia Laserna, current senator and candidate of the Centro Democrático party led by Álvaro Uribe Vélez. She won the right-wing interparty primary on March 8 with more than 3 million votes. Polls place her among the top three contenders, and if she reaches a runoff, she would become the first woman in Colombia’s history to do so.

• Sergio Fajardo Valderrama, an academic and mathematician running for the Dignidad y Compromiso He served as mayor of Medellín and governor of Antioquia and is running for president for the third time.
• Roy Barreras, from the political party La Fuerza (The Force). He won the left-wing coalition primary on March 8 with the lowest vote total (257,000 votes, about 3.6%). Although currently aligned with left-wing movements and part of the Petro administration, he has previously been affiliated with right- and center-leaning parties.
• Gustavo Matamoros Camacho, of the Colombian Ecologist Party. He served in the Colombian Army for 43 years. With no prior political experience, his campaign focuses on public security.
• Luis Gilberto Murillo, who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs (2024–2025) and Colombia’s ambassador to the United States (2022–2024). A human rights advocate and Afro-Colombian leader from Chocó, he presents himself as an independent, moderate, centrist candidate.
• Carlos Eduardo Caicedo, running under the independent movement “Con Caicedo.” He was mayor of Santa Marta (2012–2015) and governor of Magdalena (2020–2023), where he built a strong base as a left-wing political leader.

The RNEC also reported that “the draw to determine the position of presidential candidates on the ballot will take place on March 25 at the Ágora Bogotá Convention Center.”

This process marks the formal start of the final phase of the presidential campaign, during which candidates will seek to consolidate support ahead of the first round on May 31. If no candidate secures an absolute majority, a runoff between the two leading candidates will be held on June 21.

List of registered candidates for Colombia’s presidency. Photo courtesy of the Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil.

Headline photo: Polling station in Colombia during last Congress elections in March 8, 2026. Photo courtesy of the Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil.

The lawsuit, submitted to the Administrative Tribunal of Cundinamarca, demands the “absolute nullity” of the inter-administrative agreement signed on July 18. The contract partners include the Cancillería (Foreign Ministry), Colombia’s Imprenta Nacional (National Mint), and Portugal’s state-owned mint, the Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda (INCM).

The Procuraduría, led by Gregorio Eljach Pacheco, argues that the agreement violates Colombian public contracting law. The primary objections cited are the failure to conduct a competitive public bidding process and the direct adjudication of the contract. The oversight body also alleges that the agreement does not meet the legal requirements for such a partnership, stating that the foreign entity, INCM, contributed only 21% of the project’s total value, significantly below the legally mandated 50% minimum financing. The lawsuit requests the court to compel the Portuguese mint to return all funds it has received under the challenged agreement.

In its public communiqué, the Foreign Ministry clarified that it had not, at the time of the release, been formally notified by the court of the lawsuit’s admission. The ministry stressed that the filing represents the beginning of a legal process and is not a verdict against the contract’s legitimacy.

“The existence of a control measure, in this case a lawsuit, in no way prevents the continued execution of the projects, plans, and programs related to the issuance of the new passport model,” the ministry’s statement reads. It further added, “To date, there is no ruling against the Colombian Foreign Ministry that would make it impossible to move forward with the production process of new passports for Colombia.”

The Cancillería has confirmed its intent to mount a full legal defense through its juridical division once formally served. The judicial process will unfold in two stages, beginning at the Administrative Tribunal of Cundinamarca and potentially advancing to the Council of State, Colombia’s highest court for administrative matters.

President Gustavo Petro has publicly distanced himself from the Procuraduría’s legal action. Commenting on the social media platform X, the president stated, “I completely disagree with the Procurador on this issue. The country has the right for its printing press to be able to make its citizens’ identification documents because intimate data should not be in private hands.”

This legal challenge is the latest chapter in a controversy that began in 2023 when then-Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva suspended a public tender for the passport contract. Leyva cited concerns over a lack of competition, which appeared to favor the long-standing provider, Thomas Greg & Sons, a company that had produced Colombia’s passports for the preceding 17 years. Following that suspension, the government pursued the current direct agreement with the Imprenta Nacional and INCM.

The Procuraduría had previously initiated disciplinary investigations into alleged irregularities surrounding the implementation of the new passport model. These investigations include former Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio and her predecessors, Laura Sarabia and Luis Gilberto Murillo, as well as the former chief of staff for the presidency, Alfredo Saade.

The Foreign Ministry has sought to quell public concern over passport availability, stating that contingency plans are in effect and that a pre-existing contract ensures the continuous supply of passport booklets. “We give a piece of tranquility to the public,” the ministry stated, assuring that there “is not, nor will there be, a shortage.”

Headline Photo: Imprenta Nacional de Colombia. Photo credit: Imprenta Nacional de Colombia/Facebook.

According to data from Migración Colombia, analyzed by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MinCIT), Colombia saw 367,585 non-resident foreign visitors in June 2025. This figure marks a 2.1% increase compared to the 359,923 arrivals in June 2024 and a more substantial 12.2% rise from June 2023.

The United States remains the largest source of visitors, accounting for 31% of all arrivals. The government also highlighted significant year-over-year growth from other key markets in June, with a 23% increase in visitors from Brazil, 19% from Spain, and 11.6% from Mexico.

Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport remains the primary port of entry, receiving 37.2% of international visitors. Medellín’s José María Córdova International Airport followed with 26%, and Cartagena’s Rafael Núñez International Airport accounted for 16.7%.

Despite a slight 1.9% decrease in overall air traffic in May 2025, international air travel grew by 5.8% compared to the same month in the previous year. Between January and May 2025, Colombian airports handled 22.3 million passengers, with 9.7 million on international flights, representing a 2.3% increase over the same period in 2024.

The hotel sector has also shown modest gains. According to the national statistics agency, DANE, hotel occupancy reached 47.3% in May 2025, a slight increase of 0.7 percentage points from May 2024. Bogotá led with a 58.7% occupancy rate, followed by San Andrés at 57.3% and Cartagena at 56.6%.

Infrastructure Under Strain

The celebratory tone of the government’s announcement is at odds with the reality on the ground at the nation’s key airports. As reported by Finance Colombia, the national government’s failure to adequately staff and resource Migración Colombia is leading to critical bottlenecks and processing delays of several hours for both arriving and departing passengers. This issue has become particularly acute at Medellín’s José María Córdova International Airport, which serves the country’s second-largest city and a major tourist hub. Read the full Finance Colombia article here: Medellín’s Mayor Says Colombian Government Ignoring Offers to Help Solve Overcrowding at International Airport.

These operational failures have prompted sharp criticism from prominent public figures, who warn that the country’s image and economic potential are being undermined.

Former Vice President Sounds Alarm Over Airport Crisis

In a strongly worded letter dated July 31, 2025, former Vice President and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marta Lucía Ramírez, addressed the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aeronáutica Civil (the Civil Aeronautics authority), and Migración Colombia, calling for urgent measures to address the “inefficiency, illegality, and discrimination in the immigration processes” at José María Córdova International Airport.

Former vice president Marta Lucía Ramírez. Photo: Twitter.

Ramírez highlighted that extensive queues and “unjustified delays” during the recent ColombiaModa fashion event created “operational trauma” and negatively impacted travelers’ experiences. She expressed deep concern that with Medellín’s world-renowned Feria de las Flores (Festival of the Flowers) approaching, a cornerstone of the region’s tourism calendar, the situation threatens the economic dynamism of the entire department of Antioquia.

The former Vice President’s letter underscores that as a member state of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Colombia is obligated to provide agile, secure, and efficient immigration processes without discrimination. She pointed out the irony of the government’s efficient BIOMIG system for Colombian citizens, which, while commendable, creates a choke point for international tourists who are not eligible to use it.

Ramírez called for an immediate increase in immigration personnel, the implementation of new technologies to expedite passenger flow, and a guarantee of dignified and timely service for all visitors. She also noted that her call for more staffing comes as the immigration authority has recently seen two increases to its personnel roster.

The letter concludes with a warning that the persistent issues could be perceived as a “deliberate policy of the National Government to harm Antioquia,” a perception that she argues could damage institutional cohesion. The letter was also copied to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, the Ministry of Transportation, the Governor of Antioquia, and the Mayor of Medellín.

Below is the full (translated) text of former Vice President Marta Lucía Ramírez’s letter:

Marta Lucía Ramírez de Rincón, Bogotá, July 31, 2025

To: Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio Mapy, minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Colombia

Brigadier General (r) José Henry Pinto Rodríguez, general director of the Civil Aeronautics Authority

Gloria Esperanza Arriero López, general director of Migración Colombia

Subject: Urgent request for measures to guarantee efficiency, legality, and non-discrimination in the immigration processes at José María Córdova International Airport for any flight arriving from abroad.

Copied to: Diana Marcela Morales Rojas, minister of commerce, industry, and tourism

María Fernanda Rojas, minister of transportation

Andrés Julián Rendón Cardona, governor of the Department of Antioquia

Federico Andrés Gutiérrez Zuluaga, mayor of Medellín

With the proximity of the Feria de las Flores, an emblematic event of the Paisa culture and great relevance for national and international tourism, I respectfully address Migración Colombia and the competent authorities to express our deep concern about the current conditions of the immigration process at the José María Córdova International Airport.

In recent weeks, extensive queues and unjustified delays have been reported, which affected attendance at ColombiaModa with multiple situations of delay, passenger discrimination, and inefficiency, evidencing the operational trauma in immigration controls.

This situation directly affects the experience of travelers, deteriorates the country’s image, and puts at risk the economic dynamism generated by tourism and business in Antioquia, a department that, like all others, needs and deserves the support of all institutions belonging to the national government, especially when it is the second source of tax revenue for the Nation.

As a member state of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Colombia is committed to complying with the international standards established in the Convention on International Civil Aviation, signed in Chicago in 1944 and approved by Law 12 of 1947. These standards recommend that States guarantee agile, safe, and efficient immigration processes without any discrimination between foreigners and nationals arriving on flights from abroad, which must be anticipated and resolved, especially at airports with high passenger traffic.

Likewise, Decree 1294 of 2021 establishes that the Civil Aeronautics Authority must adjust its operation to ICAO procedures to ensure safe, efficient, and responsible civil aviation. Law 336 of 1996, in its article 2, states that the protection of users is an essential priority of the transportation system, and article 68 recognizes air transport as an essential public service. Additionally, Article 9 of Law 105 of 1993 underscores the obligation of authorities to guarantee efficiency and quality in the provision of public services, which includes immigration processes at international airports.

In this context, it is important to highlight that the BIOMIG system has proven to be an efficient and agile tool for the immigration control of previously registered Colombian citizens. Its operation has been exemplary and represents a model of modernization that must be maintained, promoted, and reinforced. However, by not being available to international tourists, a bottleneck is created in the lines intended for foreigners, which aggravates congestion and negatively affects the perception of the country as a pleasant tourist destination.

Therefore, we make an urgent call to Migración Colombia to:

• • • Reinforce its operation at the Rionegro airport by increasing personnel at immigration control points. Taking into account, among other things, that this institution has been the subject of two recent increases in its staff.
    • Implement technologies that speed up the flow of international passengers, including, among others, expanding and promoting the use of systems such as BIOMIG for nationals and exploring similar alternatives for frequent foreign travelers.
    • Guarantee efficient, dignified, and timely attention for all visitors, without distinction of nationality.

It is essential to prevent this situation from being interpreted as part of a deliberate policy of the National Government to harm Antioquia, a perception that could affect institutional cohesion and the complementarity between the different state institutions, as provided by the national constitution.

We trust in the commitment of the authorities to ensure that Colombia continues to be a welcoming, competitive, and respectful destination of international standards.

Sincerely,

Marta Lucía Ramírez de Rincón, former vice president of the Republic of Colombia, former minister of foreign affairs, former minister of foreign trade

Cartagena’s Rafael Nuñez International Airport is stretched beyond capacity, with passengers lacking adequate seating. Photo credit: Loren Moss.

Medellin’s Mayor Federico “Fico” Gutierrez

According to the Mayor’s Office, Mayor Federico Gutiérrez has sent multiple formal communications since 2024 to the national immigration authority, Migración Colombia, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería), urging them to increase staffing and operational capacity at the airport. To date, the national government has not provided a formal response to these requests.

A new letter was sent on July 21, 2025, again highlighting the city’s concern as it prepares for Colombiamoda 2025 and the Feria de las Flores (Festival of the Flowers). These two events are expected to draw tens of thousands of domestic and international tourists, placing further strain on the airport’s already overwhelmed immigration infrastructure.

The situation is critical given the region’s growing tourism sector, which saw over 1.8 million visitors in 2024. The city administration has stated that the current number of immigration officials is insufficient to handle the volume of travelers.

An immigration official with Migración Colombia but unauthorized to speak to the media on behalf of the immigration agency told FInance Colombia that the Petro administration refuses to authorize additional hires, meaning that there are no more than nine, and often as few as four immigration officers to handle both departures and arrivals.

As part of its proposal, the Medellín government has offered to provide resources to support processes such as the Biomig biometric registration system and to deploy personnel to guide travelers, particularly for services like passport claim processing. These measures are intended to create a more efficient and secure entry process in collaboration with the local tourism sector and business guilds.

José María Córdova International Airport is operated by the private concessionaire Airplan S.A.S., which has not issued a statement on the matter.

Headline photo:International Arrivals at José María Córdova International Airport (MDE/SKRG) outside of Medellín. Photo © Loren Moss

The case comes from a formal complaint filed in June 2024 by the ‘Red de Veedurías Ciudadanas,’ a citizen oversight network. On May 9, 2025, the Delegate Prosecutor before the Supreme Court of Justice officially opened an investigation into the matter, according to the Medellín daily El Colombiano. Initial steps included gathering documentation verifying Sarabia’s constitutional protections as a high-ranking government official, such as her appointment decrees and income records from 2022 to date.

The scrutiny focuses exclusively on Sarabia’s time in public office under President Gustavo Petro. This includes her roles at the Department for Social Prosperity (2023), as Director of the Administrative Department of the Presidency (Dapre) in 2024, and now as Foreign Minister.

The network’s complaint questions the source of the family’s wealth, particularly that of Andrés Sarabia. The group alleges that within less than two years, he went from living simply to building a fortune, driving luxury cars, traveling in private jets, and moving to a high-end apartment in Bogotá’s Parque de la 93 sector. This sudden lifestyle change and alleged connections to high-level figures indicate possible misuse of influence linked to his sister’s positions in government, according to the complaint.

There are also concerns about Consulting S.A.S., a consulting company allegedly formed with only $6 million COP in capital—less than $1,500 USD as of the date of publication. The company was registered electronically by Laura Sarabia, her husband Andrés Fernando Parra, and her brother. However, the business was placed solely under her husband’s name, allowing Sarabia to avoid disclosing her indirect ties in official declarations during her public service tenure.

Sarabia’s attorney, Lina Sandoval, posted a video on X defending the minister and questioning the motives of her accusers. “Can those attacking her justify their own wealth and expenses? I doubt it,” Sandoval said, adding that more evidence would be presented in court by June 9. That date also marks hearings related to another case in which Sarabia is testifying against Minister Armando Benedetti for alleged violence against women.

#NoLeTaparánLaBoca
¿Pueden quienes la atacan justificar su patrimonio y sus gastos? LO DUDO. El 9 de junio continuaremos.

Laura Sarabia ha puesto a disposición de la Fiscalía toda su información financiera, patrimonial y fiscal. No tiene nada que ocultar. En su contra no existen… pic.twitter.com/O2RoO1m4aP

— Lina Sandoval Echavarría (@SandovalLina) May 9, 2025

Meanwhile, tensions have reportedly risen within the government, as the rumors of friction between Sarabia and President Petro grow. A recent disagreement was visible over recent foreign policy differences, when with a post on X Sarabia congratulated Daniel Noboa election as President of Ecuador, while Petro questioned the legitimacy of Noboa’s election in his own account of this social media platform. Sarabia denied any rift, stating during a speech commemorating her first 100 days as Foreign Minister, that she maintains “good communication” with the president despite divergent views. As the investigation progresses, the case highlights broader concerns over transparency and the concentration of political power within families closely tied to Colombia’s government. For now, both Sarabia and the president deny any misconduct, but the coming weeks may determine whether the allegations gain traction or are dismissed as politically motivated.

Felicitamos al nuevo presidente de la República del Ecuador, @DanielNoboaOk. El hermano pueblo de Ecuador puede siempre contar con Colombia para trabajar juntos por una América Latina libre, soberana y en paz.

— Laura Sarabia (@laurisarabia) April 15, 2025

Headline photo: Laura Sarabia (Photo: Cancillería de Colombia)

“I have requested the protocolary resignation of ministers and directors of administrative departments. There will be some changes in the cabinet to ensure greater compliance with the program mandated by the people,” wrote the president.

This request follows the tensions caused by a televised cabinet meeting on February 4, which exposed internal disagreements among government officials and particular discomfort with the involvement in the government of Laura Sarabia, a key figure in Petro’s team and recently appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as the newly appointed Chief of Staff, Armando Benedetti.

Following this event, several ministers and officials submitted their resignation letter before Petro made his official request on February 9, including Gloria Inés Ramírez, Minister of Labor; Juan David Correa, Minister of Culture; and Juan Fernando Cristo, Minister of the Interior. In his resignation letter, Cristo thanked Petro for the opportunity to be part of the government and emphasized the need to prioritize key commitments in the remaining 18 months of the administration.

Jorge Rojas, Director of the Presidential Administrative Department (DAPRE), and Susana Muhamad, Minister of Environment, also resigned. In an interview with El Tiempo, Muhamad stated that her resignation was motivated by Armando Benedetti’s appointment as Chief of Staff. She expressed concerns about his political representation and the trust needed for governance, saying, “He does not inspire confidence in me, personally, both in terms of political representation and in the trust necessary to govern within the Council of Ministers.”

After Petro’s February 9 announcement, additional officials submitted their protocolary resignations. Carlos Carrillo, Director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) announced his resignation via X/Twitter, motivating their colleagues to also proceed: “I believe that the entire cabinet and high-ranking government officials should submit their resignations without delay.”

In a post via Twitter/X Laura Sarabia confirmed her resignation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, position she held for just a few days: “With the purpose of allowing the president to make the decisions he deems most appropriate, I submit my protocolary resignation, ” she pointed.

Among the officials that have also resigned are: Andrés Camacho, Minister of Mine; Ángela María Buitrago, Minister of Justice; Martha Carvajalino, Minister of Agriculture; and Daniel Rojas Medellín, Minister of Education.

Headline photo: Image from the televised cabinet meeting on February 4 (Photo: Presidencia de la República)

Esto sucede a esta hora en el @BOG_ELDORADO en Migracion
Inaudito pic.twitter.com/Z6DQ0P2BRq

— JQ (@drjairoquintana) August 15, 2023

Over the past few years travelers entering Colombia have faced wait times of three to four hours at key airports, including Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport and José María Córdova Airport in Rionegro. These delays were the result of a critical shortage of personnel, leaving migration officers unable to process the increasing flow of passengers efficiently.

The problem escalated during peak travel seasons, exposing vulnerabilities in Colombia’s ability to manage its growing role as a tourist and business destination. The surge in tourism, celebrated as a sign of Colombia’s economic and cultural growth, placed additional pressure on already understaffed migration offices.

On December 3, 2024, 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)— declared a strike. This protest, described as a “plan tortuga” or work slowdown, led to chaos at major airports and sparked widespread criticism. Travelers faced hours-long delays, prompting urgent intervention by government officials.

The unions cited unfulfilled promises made in 2023, when a decree added 123 new jobs to the migration workforce, leaving over 500 positions unaddressed. The unions also demanded better working conditions and technical training for employees, arguing that the current staffing levels were insufficient to handle the nation’s migration demands.

“Immigration officers are not even able to eat, they cannot go to the bathroom,” said Yeison Mesa, president of OSEMCO, to Blu Radio.

A Swift Response from the Foreign Ministry

Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo acted quickly, meeting with union representatives to negotiate a resolution. During the discussions, they addressed the staffing shortage, technical capacity-building measures, and improvements in employee working conditions.

“The dialogue always will be the way forward,” said Murillo. In a X/Twitter post, he praised the role of migration officers, noting their contributions to controlling migratory flows and promoting tourism. “The growth of tourism has been significant in recent months, and it is thanks to the collective effort of everyone involved,” he added.

On December 5, 2024, the government issued a decree modifying previous legislation regarding Migration Colombia’s workforce. This decree officially created 544 new positions that are expected to avoid delays and improve the experience for both domestic and international travelers.

“The leaders of the two unions agreed to stop the protests after the meeting” expressed Martha Hernandez, Director of Migration Colombia, via Twitter/X.

The newly created jobs will begin integrating into the migration workforce in 2025. Officials anticipate that the added personnel will significantly reduce wait times at airports, improving operational efficiency and enhancing Colombia’s reputation as a welcoming travel destination.

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

Stamp emphasized the importance that Colombians following legal migration pathways, particularly through Germany’s specialized worker migration program. “Migrating through this law offers great opportunities to work and live in our country,” Stamp explained.

Last September the two countries had signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to establish a migration partnership aiming to create structured migration pathways, while strengthening bilateral ties and addressing labor market needs in Germany. At the time, Stamp mentioned Germany’s interest in attracting young Colombian professionals to its labor market while discouraging asylum applications. “Colombia is a key partner with whom we maintain close contact. This joint declaration marks a significant step forward,” quoted a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister Jorge Rojas Rodríguez clarified to El Tiempo: “The right of asylum is not being denied, what worries us is that there are criminal networks that traffic migrants using illegal mechanisms and deceiving people so that they go to Germany for asylum. What Germany says is that they do not need that.”

Asylum applications from Colombians in Germany have surged by an unprecedented 4,700% over the past six years. However, 99.7% of these claims are denied, resulting in mandatory repatriation for most applicants. Stamp highlighted that abusing the asylum process could also jeopardize Colombia’s privilege of the Schengen visa exemption.

Un diálogo directo y franco con el gobierno de Alemania para promover la migración regular y prevenir la trata de personas y el tráfico de migrantes que usan indebidamente el derecho de asilo.

Trabajamos en Bogotá con el Representante Especial del Gobierno Federal para Acuerdos… pic.twitter.com/5Q7N6iczdo

— Jorge Rojas Rodríguez (@jorgerojas2022) December 19, 2024

The situation follows the recent decision of the United Kingdom to reinstate visa requirements for Colombians following similar circumstances. Stamp also mentioned in the interview that discussions are already underway among European Union member states about the possibility of taking such measures.

Currently, the Schengen visa exemption allows Colombians with valid passports to travel to most EU countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without requiring a visa.

Stamp remains optimistic about managing the issue, but he warned that the situation must be addressed promptly to prevent further restrictions.

Headline photo: Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister Jorge Rojas Rodríguez and Joachim Stamp, Germany’s Special Commissioner for Migration Agreements (Photo: Jorge Rojas / Twiter/X )

During COP16, Chancellor Luis Ernesto Murillo confirmed that Germany is interested in pursuing this debt swap with Colombia, stating: “The German government has agreed to make symbolic gestures through a debt-for-nature swap operation.”

Months of Dialogue on Environmental Debt Swap

In September, President Petro (above, right) and the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz (above, left)met to discuss the climate-focused debt swap and other environmental topics related to Colombia.

The Colombian president stated: “We had a lengthy discussion about what is happening in the Amazon rainforest and the ways to make the debt-for-climate swap a reality.”

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Colombian Chancellor also met in Hamburg with Vera Songwe and Moritz Kraemer, who lead the Independent Expert Group (IEG) on debt and climate change. Susana Muhammad, the Colombian Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, stated that the country is seeking $40 billion from various sources, including private sector and bank investments.

Photo: Presidencia de la República (Colombia)

Photo: Colombian Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva. (Credit: Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

While bureaucratic details such as passport issuance particulars normally don’t draw significant attention, Colombians have been suffering for months with long wait times and lines while trying to get or renew a passport.

According to the office of the inspector general, Leyva “violated the law, exhibited capricious behavior, and disregarded the principles of transparency and morality” when he cancelled the bidding process last year in which only one company, incumbent provider Thomas Greg & Sons, submitted a bid. Leyva purportedly lacked the legal and technical foundation to make such a decision and may have violated principles of transparency and responsibility in state contracting.

Thomas Greg & Sons had already filed a lawsuit claiming impropriety before the suspension order came down.

For the inspector general’s office, Tatiana del Carmen Moreno, Jesualdo Villero Payares, and Esiquio Manuel Sánchez are the officials handling the case.

The saga may also be entangled by an interpersonal conflict that Leyva previously had with Martha Lucía Zamora, former director of the State Legal Defense Agency (ADJDE). According to local media outlet Reporte Coronell within W Radio, Leyva took issue with a conciliation that had Zamora reportedly made with Thomas Greg & Sons and it led to a a verbal confrontation. Zamora would later resign.

Juan Manuel Galán, former presidential candidate and brother of the Mayor of Bogotá Carlos Fernando, has called for the removal to be made permanent. “We ask that he be removed from office and that a foreign minister be appointed to lead a strategic policy for the nation,” he said in a publicized video.

Others have made similar calls, and one emerging candidate to take over at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if Leyva is ousted is Luis Gilberto Murillo, the nation’s current ambassador to the United States. He formerly served as governor of Chocó and minister of environment.