- An online pre-registration system for travelers will make it easier to enter Mexico, reduce the number of Colombians denied entry
On Monday, February 14, the Undersecretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, Maximiliano Reyes, and Juan Guillermo Castro, acting Deputy Foreign MInister of Colombia, met to follow up on the commitments made by Colombian Foreign Minister Marta Lucia Ramírez and Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard regarding migration during their January 25 meeting.
In the spirit of strengthening the fraternal relationship between Mexico and Colombia, and to increase tourism and commerce between both countries, the two sides agreed to a roadmap that will facilitate entry and reduce non-admissions for Colombians traveling to Mexico. The online pre-registration system for travelers will also give immigration and security authorities more precise and systematic control, in order to achieve a safer flow of people between Mexico and Colombia.
The following processes and meetings were agreed on for the roadmap:
- Mexico will put in place an electronic pre-registration system to facilitate entry for Colombians wishing to travel to Mexico, and will inform those who will not be able to enter before their trip.
- The exchange of security information will be enhanced using available databases and existing platforms and arrangements.
- At the initiative of the Vice President and Foreign Minister of Colombia, both countries will seek to improve the information provided to travelers denied entry to avoid causing them harm.
- The third meeting of the Mexico-Colombia working group on entry procedures, secondary inspection and inadmission will be held in Mexico City to review the progress of the roadmap.
Lastly, Mexico and Colombia reiterated their commitment to provide dignified and respectful treatment to visitors from each country at all times, ensure access to consular assistance and prevent harm to the citizens of both countries who are denied entry.
The Mexican delegation was comprised of officials from the National Migration Institute, the National Intelligence Center, the area of Consular Services of the Foreign Ministry and the Embassy of Mexico in Colombia. The Colombian delegation was comprised of Foreign Ministry officials for immigration, consular affairs and citizen services, the Americas, and Migration Colombia.
