Cartagena de Indias, August 26, 2024
The Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Gilberto Murillo, the United States Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, and the Panamanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha led a high-level delegation in Cartagena de Indias for their Third Trilateral Meeting on Irregular Migration.
They affirmed that addressing irregular migration begins with recognizing shared responsibility and a multi-pronged approach. They highlighted the value of principles and commitments made by Colombia, Panama, and the United States under the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, in partnership with key international organizations.
Over the last three years, collaboration among these governments has yielded notable results. These include the regularization of 2.5 million Venezuelan migrants in Colombia, establishing Safe Mobility Offices to provide lawful pathways to the United States and other countries for migrants, Colombia’s announcement to expand regularization to Venezuelans not covered under its temporary protected status, and joint efforts to address human smuggling in the Darien region.
Panama has increased its capacity regarding repatriating those without a legal basis to remain in Panama. These regional efforts, supported by the U.S., contribute to coordinated management of irregular migration.
The three governments recognize threats posed by transnational criminal organizations exploiting migrants. They reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling these networks and bringing criminals to justice through enhanced information sharing.
Irregular migration flows along the Colombia-Panama border have global implications involving more than 90 nationalities entering through third countries. The partners committed to incentivizing dialogue across the region to reduce irregular migration by increasing safe, orderly, and humane migration alternatives.
Colombia and Panama emphasized protecting strategic ecosystems and local communities along their shared border. The United States is committed to strengthening cooperation on community development.
The three countries expressed their will to strengthen migration policies supporting socioeconomic regularization and integration of migrants based on InterAmerican human rights principles. They aim to promote lawful pathways and protect vulnerable migrants.
The leaders agreed on an action plan with concrete steps to strengthen state presence along the Colombia-Panama border. This includes improving control mechanisms, information sharing, identity verification, disbanding human trafficking networks, improving humanitarian assistance for migrant populations, and identifying protection mechanisms for vulnerable groups consistent with international human rights principles.
The heads of delegation instructed their teams to hold a technical meeting within 90 days from adopting this joint statement. They are tasked with developing an action plan that builds on progress made by the three countries.
Head of Delegation of Colombia
Head of Delegation of the United States
Head of Delegation of Panama
