Colombia has announced that it will grant legal status to up to 540,000 Venezuelan migrants who are guardians to minors living in the country. Colombia’s migration agency made this decision on Tuesday.
Millions of Venezuelans have fled to Colombia due to the ongoing political and economic problems in Venezuela. Many have chosen to settle in Colombia, while others use the country as a transit point to move to other nations. Currently, over 2.8 million Venezuelan migrants reside in Colombia.
The new measure aims to help adults who are taking care of approximately 270,000 minors with residency permits in Colombia. These guardians will receive a special permission to stay in the country, similar to previous permissions issued to other Venezuelan migrants.
“This special permission is designed to integrate guardians, who are responsible for minors with temporary protection permits living in Colombia,” said Carlos Fernando Garcia, the director of the migration agency, during a press conference.
ALSO READ: “Thousands Forced to Evacuate as Wildfire Ravages British Columbia, Canada”
In 2021, under the leadership of former President Ivan Duque, Colombia offered 10-year legal status to Venezuelans living in the country. This offer was widely accepted by many Venezuelan migrants seeking stability and better opportunities in Colombia.
The new policy reflects Colombia’s continued efforts to support and integrate Venezuelan migrants, particularly focusing on families and children who need stability and protection. This initiative is expected to improve the lives of thousands of Venezuelan families and enhance their integration into Colombian society.
Comments