Colombia has underlined the need for Latin American countries to apply the principle of co-
responsibility to stem the migratory flow on the continent.
Addressing a virtual meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, Costa
Rica and Panama, the Colombian Vice President and Foreign Minister, Marta Lucia Ramirez,
said the affected countries must comprehensively analyze the migration crisis and work out
“effective responses and solutions from humanitarian, health and security perspectives.”
“Migration is not a transitory issue. It should be understood as a scourge that can increase a
critical health, social and economic situation for transit countries such as Colombia, Ecuador and Panama, and even for destination countries like the United States and Canada,” Mr Ramirez said.
He therefore called for a regional approach to contain the situation which he said would continue as people are pushed by multiple factors such as poverty, and difficulties in democracy, to migrate.
While reiterating the principle of co- responsibility, Mr Ramirez said “we are all responsible. We
must understand that each country is overwhelmed by migration. Human beings pass through our birders and we must show solidarity with them, take care of them and also take care of our
citizens.