17 Venezuelans, 4 of them minors, rescued in San Andrés.

International, World

Oscar El Blue

Originally from Tijuana Baja California. Graduate in communication, bilingual announcer and reporter. He specializes in documenting and investigating in a processional manner the issue of immigration and child abuse on the northern borders of Mexico with States as well as the southern border of Tapachula Mexico with Guatemala. Former professional boxer, commentator and analyst of professional boxing fights.

In the development of maritime control and surveillance activities in the Archipelago, the Colombian Navy located and rescued 22 migrants of different nationalities, 27 nautical miles (50 kilometers) southwest of the island of San Andrés, when they were making irregular transit aboard a boat in the waters of the Colombian Caribbean.

In conjunction with the Colombian Air Force, the Naval Institution detected in the morning hours, a motor vessel that was sailing in a suspicious manner. Immediately, the Specific Command of San Andrés and Providencia through the Coast Guard Station, deployed a Rapid Reaction Unit – URR in the area, which managed to locate the boat named “Veratil” with 24 people on board.

Once the visit and inspection procedure was carried out, it was established that there were 13 adults and four minors of Venezuelan nationality, three Chinese, one Nepalese and one Colombian minor; In addition to two Colombian nationals, who would be the alleged persons responsible for transporting these people illegally to Central America.

The personnel were taken to the dock of the San Andrés Coast Guard Station and made available to the competent authorities to carry out the relevant procedures. The minors, for their part, were handed over to the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare – ICBF, for the restoration of their rights.

The two Colombian crew members were arrested for the alleged crime of migrant trafficking, according to article 188 of the Colombian Penal Code: “Anyone who promotes, induces, constrains, facilitates, finances, collaborates or in any other way participates in the entry or exit of people from the country, without complying with the legal requirements, with the intention of profiting or any other benefit for themselves or another person, will incur imprisonment and a fine.”

The Colombian Navy, through the Specific Command of San Andrés and Providencia, reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding human life at sea, while calling on the community to report any situation that puts their safety at risk, through the Marine VHF channel 16 or the 146 hotline, available 24 hours a day.

International Journalist Colombia Editorial:

Yasmín Velasco

IG @yasminvelasco1

Photo Courtesy of International Journalist Colombia Yasmín Velasco

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