A total of 31 people in irregular migration status were rescued this weekend in the waters of the San Andrés archipelago, after apparently being abandoned by the drivers of the boat in which they were traveling to Central American countries.
The rescue operation was led by the Colombian National Navy, in coordination with the Colombian Air Force and the Specific Command of San Andrés and Providencia. Once the alert was received, the San Andrés and Providencia Coast Guard Station deployed a Quick Reaction Unit (URR) towards the reported location, located northwest of the island, where 3 Azerbaijanis, 12 Indians and 16 Venezuelans were found, including 4 minors.
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The rescuers proceeded to verify the health status of the passengers before transferring them to the dock and putting them at the disposal of Migration Colombia. The minors were attended to by the competent authorities to guarantee the restoration of their rights, the news agency reported.
The migrants were abandoned despite the adverse weather conditions that have occurred in the region during the week, with forecasts of strong storms and intense gusts of wind. According to statistics released by Blu Radio, So far in 2024, 102 people in irregular migration situations have been rescued in the waters of the San Andrés and Providencia archipelago.
“The Colombian Navy, through the Specific Command of San Andrés and Providencia, will continue to use its capabilities to safeguard human life at sea. In addition, it calls on the community to report and avoid falling into these criminal networks that, in exchange for money, put the lives of passengers at risk,” the Navy detailed in a statement issued over the weekend.
In a joint operation carried out on June 1, 2024, by the Colombian Navy, the Colombian Air Force and the National Police, 19 people in an irregular migration situation were rescued, among whom were six minors, according to official sources. The group, made up of Ecuadorian and Venezuelan citizens, was waiting to be transferred to the coasts of Central America from a Colombian island location.
Patrolling and control efforts in the internal bay of the island allowed the detection of the group of migrants. An apparently abandoned floating device caught the attention of the Coast Guard, who upon inspection discovered the 19 migrants. These people were waiting for a smaller boat that would transport them to Central America, as reported by the authorities.
After the discovery, the migrants were transferred to the Cotton Cay dock and placed at the disposal of Migración Colombia, while the minors were handed over to the Children and Adolescents Police for the corresponding procedures.. Twelve of those rescued were Ecuadorian nationals and seven Venezuelans, all with the intention of improving their living conditions in Central and North America.
This event highlights the persistent use of irregular migration routes in the region. So far in 2024, 67 people have been rescued in similar situations in the Archipelago department, a known departure point for migrants.
In response, the Caribbean Naval Force and the San Andrés Specific Command have stated that they will continue with joint and inter-institutional efforts to mitigate the factors of instability that affect the island region. The role of the Colombian Navy is crucial not only in preserving national sovereignty, but also in preventing illicit activities such as drug trafficking and piracy.
