Among the rescued people are three children and an adult over the age of 60.
With this humanitarian operation, 159 migrants have been safeguarded at sea by 2023.
In a joint operation conducted by the Military Forces, Coast Guard units of the Colombian Navy, with the support of the National Army and the Colombian Air Force, the lives at sea of 19 migrants were safeguarded, including Chinese, Venezuelans and Colombians, who were rescued about 28 kilometers south of San Andrés Island.
After several days of monitoring, and thanks to the Integrated Traffic and Maritime Transport System, the Colombian-registered boat Miss Da Da, was detected moving suspiciously to the south of the island. A Rapid Reaction Unit of the Coast Guard Station of San Andrés was immediately sent to the area in order to verify the situation.
When carrying out the interception at sea, it was found that the ship was illegal and did not have the minimum security conditions to go to sea and did not comply with current maritime regulations. So, it was taken by the crew of the Naval Institution to the main Coast Guard dock of San Andrés.
In safe port, after checking their good health, the protected persons (12 Venezuelans, five Chinese and two Colombians), including three minors, were put into custody of Migración Colombia and the minors into custody of the family office. The captain of the boat (which is a repeat offender in migrant smuggling) and another crewman, originally from San Andrés, were arrested and put into custody of officials of the Judicial Police – SIJIN.
“With these 159 migrants have been rescued, whose human life has been safeguarded at sea during the year in the waters of the Archipelago department. We will continue to work in coordination with all State institutions, while maintaining operations in order to promote Human Security and attack multi-criminal organizations that commit crimes related with illegal migration” said Navy Captain Carlos Eduardo Solano Prada, Commander of the San Andrés y Providencia Specific Command.
Source: Press - Navy of Colombia
