Colombia expels 80 allegedly ‘criminal’ Venezuelans

Colombia has expelled 80 Venezuelan nationals, alleging they may have committed criminal acts within the country, as President Abelardo de la Espriella enforces hardline security policies. The deportations took place in Cucuta, a border city, following the US-backed right-winger's inauguration in August. Among the alleged criminal activities included theft, drug trafficking, extortion, criminal conspiracy, carrying bladed weapons, substance abuse, and disrespect for authority.

However, no Venezuelan was convicted in Colombian courts. The individuals were transported to the border bridge Tienditas, where immigration officials from both nations provided them with coffee, water, and bread. Since De la Espriella assumed power nearly three months ago, several planes have arrived in Cucuta carrying Venezuelans for the same purpose.

Colombia currently hosts over 2.8 million Venezuelan migrants, of whom around 527,000 are undocumented. While De la Espriella did not run on an anti-migrant platform, his policies mirror US President Donald Trump's "America First" rhetoric.