Colombia expels 59 Venezuelans who participated in protests
Colombia protests
Colombiasaid Monday it is expelling59Venezuelansfor takingpartin streetprotests, as conservative President Ivan Duque gathered with business and labour leaders in a bid to quell violent anti-governmentprotests.
Demonstrators planned another big march on Monday despite Duque's launch of a national dialogue on Sunday to address corruption, economic inequality and other woes.
TheVenezuelanshave been classified as a threat to public order and national security, the government’s migration agency said.
Since last ThursdayColombiahas been hit by unprecedented massprotestsagainst the unpopular Duque, thus joining a wave of grassroots anger that, for different reasons, has swept through Ecuador, Chile and Bolivia.
Colombians want Duque to fight harder against corruption, improve public education and provide for more equitable economic growth.
They are also concerned about the management of a 2016 peace dealwith leftist FARC rebels, which is unpopular with many Colombians.
Fleeing Venezuela
Duque's administration also has to deal with hosting 1.4 million refugees fleeing neighbouring Venezuela's economic meltdown.
Christian Kruger, the director ofColombiaMigration, said the country had welcomed the59Venezuelansnow due for expulsion as it did so many people from their beleaguered country.
"But we will not tolerate a group of misfits coming to threaten the safety of our streets," Kruger said in a statement.
He said the actions of theseVenezuelanstriggers "outbreaks of xenophobia" that hurts the reputation of good hardworkingVenezuelans.
Kruger told reporters later that they would be handed over to Venezuelan authorities at a remote border crossing in southwesternColombia, San Fernando de Atabapo, in order to "make it difficult for them" to return.
"While it's true that foreigners can march, what they cannot do is affect public order and generate vandalism by putting public and private goods at risk as well as the integrity of the peoplewhoare in those marches," he said.
Police had earlier reported that during a night of curfew on Friday 29Venezuelanswere arrested in Bogota and Cali for violating that order.
Colombian immigration authorities said they had blocked entry to the country of a Chilean and a Venezuelanwho, according to "intelligence information" had posed a threat to the "tranquillity and security" of the country.
DuquetookpartSunday in the launch of a national dialogue with mayors and other government officials to address the grievances of the protesters,whowere not represented in that initial session.
The 43-year-old president had warned on the eve of a general strike and massive protest last Thursday, thatColombiawas at risk of the same social convulsions which had shaken Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile in recent weeks.
People marched again Sunday and another big procession has been called for Monday by a major trade union.