Authorities detained more than 500 mainly African migrants last year in Colombia, a growing hub for people trafficking to the United States that is aided by links to powerful drug traffickers.
Colombian officials are concerned the South American nation is becoming a regular stop on trafficking routes of undocumented migrants, many from Africa and also Asia, who are seeking better
lives in the United States.
In the most recent case, almost two weeks ago, Marines rescued 70 undocumented Africans, from the Caribbean, who later sought refugee status on arrival on Colombia’s northern coast.
“We’re not returning to Africa. There are lots of problems with politics and religion there. We dream of arriving in the United States,” Samy Kol, a member of the group of Somalis and Eritreans,
told local media.
“We paid a lot for our dream, we risked our lives and we won’t rest until we achieve it.”
People trafficking networks choose Colombia for its privileged geostrategic position, according to Felipe Munoz, head of Colombia’s migration and intelligence services.
The South American nation borders two oceans that easily connect with Central American ports.
“Illegal immigrants are victims and they deserve all the attention, respect and help from Colombian authorities. But behind this is a very elaborated network that seeks to make links with local drug traffickers for new routes,” Munoz said.
Traffickers leave people to work for them in Colombia, to hook up with drug lords they wish to work with, he added.
One month ago, Colombian police caught four members of a people trafficking network led by Ethiopian Johenes Elnefue Negussie, who had been in Colombia since 2007 and had contacts in other Colombian cities.
Colombia deported 285 African and Asian citizens in 2009, and expelled 41 other foreigners, according to official figures.
Most migrants who reached Colombia were from Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Benin, Zimbabwe, Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia, according to the foreign ministry.
Authorities said many migrants arrive at Buenaventura, its main Pacific port. They had also set up mobile patrols on the country’s borders with Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador and Brazil.
The latest African immigrants said they paid $5 000 each for a promised voyage to the United States.
As they waited for a response from the foreign ministry on their demands for refugee status, many played football or read the Bible to pass the time.
Some told the UN refuge agency that they wished to work in Colombia.
“It’s ironic that these people seek refuge in Colombia, one of the countries with the highest rate of displacement and asylum requests in other countries,” said Jorge Rojas, director of the
Codhes local rights group. – AFP