The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia, Luis Gilberto Murillo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama, Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez and the Secretary of Homeland Security of the United States, Alejandro N. Mayorkas and their delegations, meeting in the city of Cartagena de Indias, within the framework of the Third Meeting of the Tripartite Mechanism on Irregular Migration:
They stated that addressing irregular migration is based on the recognition of shared responsibility and, from a multidimensional and human rights perspective, they highlighted the high value represented by the principles and commitments assumed by the governments of Panama, the United States, and Colombia, in the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection and its pillars, in collaboration with international organizations.
The governments of Panama, the United States, and Colombia have a long history of collaboration. In the last three years, specifically, this collaboration has yielded notable results, including the regularization of 2.5 million Venezuelan migrants in Colombia, the establishment of the Safe Mobility Offices to grant migrants access to legal pathways to the United States and other countries, Colombia’s announcement to expand regularization for Venezuelans not covered under the Temporary Protection Statute, and joint efforts to address human trafficking in the Darien region.
Similarly, Panama has increased capacity for the repatriation program for those who lack legal basis to remain in Panama. These efforts in the region, together with the United States, contribute to a coordinated management of irregular migration.
The three governments recognize the threats posed by transnational criminal organizations that profit from the exploitation of migrants. In this regard, they reaffirm their commitment to identify different mechanisms to dismantle these networks and bring these criminals to justice. They also commit to improve the exchange of information.
The three countries recognize that irregular migration flows that transit the border between Colombia and Panama are global in scope and involve populations of more than 90 nationalities, some of which entered the region through third countries. In this regard, the parties committed to encourage dialogue with third countries in the region, to increase safe, orderly and humane alternatives that reduce irregular migration.
Colombia and Panama highlight the importance of protecting strategic ecosystems and local communities located on their common border. In this regard, the United States is committed to strengthening cooperation for the development of these communities.
Committed to the need to expand protection mechanisms for migrant populations under the inter-American principles on human rights, the three countries express their willingness to strengthen migration policies that support efforts for regularization and socioeconomic integration of migrants; promote and respect regular migration routes; and encourage actions that protect migrants in vulnerable conditions.
They agreed on the implementation of a work plan with concrete and realistic actions to strengthen the state presence of Colombia and Panama on their common border. They also committed to improving control and regulation mechanisms, the exchange of information and identity verification.
The three countries are committed to strengthening cooperation to dismantle migrant trafficking and smuggling networks, improve humanitarian assistance to migrant populations and seek protection mechanisms for vulnerable groups, considering humanitarian options such as the current mechanisms for transit between countries.
The above is within the framework of international human rights principles and standards, shared responsibility in migration management in the region and the search for international cooperation that recognizes the gaps and needs in terms of development.
The heads of delegation instructed their competent immigration authorities to hold a technical meeting, within a maximum period of ninety (90) days from the adoption of this Declaration, to prepare and present a schedule and execution plan with activities that build on the progress that the three countries have made with concrete actions.
