By Luis Jaime Acosta
BOGOTA (Reuters) – The United States will deploy biometric capabilities in partnership with Colombia to help manage migration and disrupt criminal activity, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said during a visit to Bogota on Thursday.
“Today we have signed a statement of intent for biometric cooperation and it will reaffirm our strong and our resilient and our enduring partnership,” Noem said in remarks alongside Colombia foreign minister Laura Sarabia.
Colombia President Gustavo Petro and U.S. President Donald Trump clashed in January over the treatment of Colombians on U.S. deportation flights, with Petro refusing the flights and Trump threatening to impose tariffs and sanctions in response.
The two countries reached a deal on the flights and deportations have since resumed, but Petro has urged migrants to return home.
The United States appreciates Colombia’s effort to facilitate repatriations of migrants, Noem said, and the sharing of biometric data will make that cooperation more efficient.
“We’re going to strengthen our regional security systems and make sure we’re disrupting the movement of threatening actors that perpetuate illegal activity and also facilitate illegal trafficking of migrants,” Noem said.
The memorandum of understanding signed by her and Noem will strengthen the sharing of migratory information, Sarabia said in her own comments, while making sure the rights and dignity of migrants are respected.
Noem is also set to meet with Petro during her visit.
Deportees have recounted what they say was degrading treatment by U.S. authorities, including being transported in chains.
(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta and Julia Symmes Cobb)
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