Colombia has announced plans to issue special stay permits to the guardians of over 270,000 migrant minors from Venezuela currently residing in the country with a Temporary Protection Permit. The aim of these permits is to facilitate the integration of these guardians into Colombian society, enabling them to seek employment and access government services.
Migration Colombia's director, Fernando García, highlighted the significance of these permits during a press conference. He emphasized that the permits would regularize the legal representatives or custodians of the Venezuelan children and adolescents, granting them a Colombian identification document. This document will enable them to access various social and financial services provided by the State, particularly in the areas of health and education for both minors and adults.
The issuance of these permits also serves to enhance the protection of Venezuelan migrant minors, as stated by Solángel Ortiz, the director of Immigration, Consular Affairs, and Citizen Services at the Colombian Foreign Ministry. Ortiz underscored the importance of safeguarding children and adolescents through this targeted approach, especially those who may be vulnerable to various forms of violence due to their circumstances.
Colombia has emerged as the primary destination for Venezuelan migrants in South America in recent years. As of 2023, an estimated 2.5 million Venezuelans were residing in Colombia, according to data from Migration Colombia. Furthermore, Colombian authorities revealed that 98% of the country's immigrant population originated from Venezuela.
