Colombia: Population Movement (Returnees) - DREF Final Report (MDRCO030)

Countries: Colombia, United States of America Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. Description of the Event Provide any updates in the situation since the eld report and explain what is expected to happen. According to the dashboard developed by Migration Colombia, between 28 January and 6 March 2025, a total of 1,467 Colombians were deported on flights organized by the National Government in coordination with the Air Force, Migration Colombia, and the Foreign Ministry (1). These flights originated from the United States and Panama, arrived at airports in Bogotá and Medellín. Deportations remained consistent throughout this period. The United States deported 201 people on 28 January, and 105 on 29 January. On 3 February, Panama deported 43 Colombians to Medellín. Additional flights from the United States followed on 3, 6, and 10 February, carrying 109, 91, and 109 deportees, respectively. On 13 February, two flights arrived: one from Panama with 35 people in Medellín and another from the United States with 107 in Bogotá. The United States continued deportations with flights on 18, 19, 20, and 25 February, carrying 107, 96, 109, and 105 deportees, respectively. Panama sent another flight on 28 February with 35 deportees. Finally, In March, the United States operated two more flights, on 4 and 6 March, with 110 and 105 deportees, bringing the total for the period to 1,467. These figures only account for coordinated flights with government oversight, meaning the actual number of deportations could be higher. Meanwhile, El Tiempo (2025) reported that approximately 1,000 Colombians were currently detained in the United States, awaiting deportation in the coming weeks (2) With an average of 200 people returning weekly to Bogotá through coordinated flights between the Colombian and U.S. governments, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimated and subsequently confirmed an increase in deportations that exceeded available institutional capacities. During the analyzed period, the number of deportations showed a significant increase starting in June, rising from 636 cases in April and 593 in May to 733 in June, with a peak of 1,845 in July, followed by 1,280 returned individuals in August. Although these cases exceeded historical deportation records, as well as institutional capacities to respond to this sustained increase, the DREF operation did not transition into a response operation, as the planned early actions addressed the identified humanitarian needs at the reception point and strengthened the National Society’s capacities to ensure continuity of the response as part of the planned exit strategy, in coordination with the National Society’s operational teams.

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