Colombia and Mexico reach an agreement to ease the arrival of travelers

(CNN Spanish) — The governments of Mexico and Colombia announced measures to guarantee the “safe, orderly and regular migration of Colombian tourists and migrants,” after a series of complaints by local media that Colombian citizens were mistreated upon arrival in Mexico.

In a joint statement Published this Tuesday, the governments of Colombia and Mexico agreed on a list of seven points related to these complaints, among others, maintaining adequate conditions in the reception room and strengthening the dissemination of requirements for Colombians to enter Mexico.

The statement comes after a high-level meeting on the second review and denial of entry of Colombians to Mexico, held this week in Mexico City.

Local media have reported several cases of Colombians being denied entry into Mexico as tourists and subjected to ill-treatment, including arbitrary arrests, taking away their passports and cell phones, escorting them to check-in rooms, and not allowing them to communicate. Their relatives were allegedly deported and extorted by immigration agents in Mexico.

CNN could not directly verify these claims. The media reached out to the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment.

In a joint statement released Tuesday, the Mexican government pledged to “review and investigate complaints filed by Colombian nationals in order to provide adequate treatment to travelers.”

Among the assurances made by the Mexican government are that Colombian travelers who are inadmissible have the right to have their case reviewed a second time, to contact their relatives and Colombian consular officials by phone. Obtain a copy of the record of reasons for entry into the country.

Mexico agreed to issue a consular notification to Colombia if travelers request Colombian officials to inform Colombian authorities why Colombian nationals are not admitted.

“Mexico and Colombia are making improvements to improve the operation of the reservation so that it is an accessible platform for all types of Colombian travelers and/or tourists, with the aim of fulfilling its objective: to facilitate and reduce entry. Exclusion of Colombians to Mexico,” the joint statement said.

This is a new commitment made by Colombian and Mexican authorities. In February of this year, during the government of President Ivan Duque, a high-level bilateral meeting between Mexico and Colombia reached agreements “to reduce the number of inadmissible persons and improve the treatment of Colombians at the country’s airports.” .

The meeting also agreed to create an electronic pre-registration system to facilitate the entry of Colombians into Mexico and to “reduce inadmissibility” of Colombians to the country.

“The electronic travel pre-registration system will facilitate authorities to exercise more precise and systematic control, both for immigration and security purposes, with the aim of achieving a safe flow of people between Mexico and Colombia,” a statement said. Ministry of External Affairs. Colombia in February this year.

After that meeting, the two countries agreed to “at all times provide dignified and respectful treatment to arrivals from each of our countries, guarantee access to consular assistance, and prevent citizens of both countries from being victimized when they are inadmissible”.

But after that meeting, complaints of mistreatment of Colombians in Mexico continued, according to several media outlets.

Before traveling from Colombia to Mexico

The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a series of requirements for Colombians traveling to Mexico to “minimize the risk of migration difficulties,” says its website. Bureaucratic requirements are limited to Colombian travelers compared to tourist arrivals to other countries.

1. Fill the pre-registration form and “familiarize yourself with its contents”

2. Accommodation is available during your stay in Mexico. The Colombian government recommends printed reservations. If a person is invited, “provide an invitation letter signed by your host”, where your contact information is, a copy of the utility bill, and a copy of the host’s identification in Mexico.

3. Show financial solvency for expenses during your stay. On average, the foreign ministry says the cost is between US$100 and US$150 per day, including accommodation, food and “recreational activities”.

4. Keep “Itinerary Limited” and printed reservations.

5. Tourist may be asked for “Certificate of employment to enjoy holiday period”.

6. In case of traveling with minors, it is important to bring copies of permission slips to leave the country.

7. Have International Travel Assistance Insurance.

On the Mexican immigration page, you can also see publications regarding requirements for Colombian travelers, but not other nationalities.

CNN has reached out to Mexican immigration officials for comment on these requirements, but has not yet heard back.