U.S. Defends Detention of Colombian Activist; Colombia’s President Calls It Political

The Trump administration defended the detention of Colombian activist Beto Coral, alleging that it stems from his immigration status rather than political motivations. President Gustavo Petro criticized the U.S. for what he described as a politically charged arrest.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson explained that Franklin Humberto Coral-Garrido, known publicly as Beto Coral, entered the United States in December 2015 on a B1/B2 visa. This type of visa allowed him a six-month stay, but he remained illegally for a decade. The spokesperson remarked, “On June 16, ICE arrested Franklin Humberto Coral-Garrido, an illegal alien from Colombia.” They added that Coral-Garrido overstayed his visa in violation of U.S. laws and will stay in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

To avoid extended detention, Coral-Garrido can use the CBP Home App to facilitate his departure. The spokesperson pointed out, “Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App.” The U.S. offers $2,600 and a free flight for self-deportation, advising individuals to take this opportunity to return legally and pursue the American dream. Failure to comply could result in arrest and deportation without reentry to the U.S.

Senator Bernie Moreno expressed strong opinions on the matter. He tweeted that individuals cannot seek asylum while acting against the U.S. government’s interests, pointing a finger at Coral-Garrido’s actions.

“You can’t come to the United States, claim asylum, and then act as a foreign agent to that very government while simultaneously undermining our foreign policy,” Moreno wrote. “Have a nice life back in Colombia Beto!”

Who Is Beto Coral?

Coral-Garrido, a lawyer and activist from Medellin, Colombia, is the son of a police captain who was killed after helping to track down drug lord Pablo Escobar. Coral-Garrido penned a book about his father’s death and has amassed a sizable audience on X and YouTube, where he supports President Petro and the Historic Pact movement.

In Arizona, Coral-Garrido drove for Uber and recently traveled to Miami. Colombian journalist Daniel Coronell reported that Coral-Garrido’s visit to Florida involved filing a lawsuit against presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella and campaigning against him. He flew a banner over Miami accusing de la Espriella and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of stealing from Venezuela.

Petro confirmed Coral-Garrido’s detention during a cabinet meeting, categorizing it as “political persecution.” He instructed Colombia’s Foreign Ministry to request his release, suggesting that the case played into Colombia’s politics. The President remarked on prior U.S. asylum granted to Coral-Garrido and linked the detention to Colombia’s presidential runoff.

Upcoming Colombian Elections

Colombia’s presidential runoff is set for June 21. Abelardo de la Espriella, noted as a right-wing outsider and criminal defense lawyer, led the first round on May 31 with 43.7% of the vote. Competitor Ivan Cepeda trailed closely with 40.9%. As no one achieved 50%, both move to a runoff. De la Espriella aligns with the Trump administration’s security and anti-drug policy, while Cepeda advocates for an independent foreign policy. The winner will take office on August 7, following the term limits barring Petro from reelection.