Expelled Venezuelan opposition activists ‘were also politically active in Colombia’

Expelled Venezuelan opposition activists ‘were also politically active in Colombia’
Sep 8, 2014 posted by Craig Corbett

Two Venezuelan opposition activists who were expelled from Colombia last week had been politically active in opposition to the Colombian government, the Interior Ministry said Monday.

Government critic Lorent Enrique Gomez entered Colombia on February 19 of this year on a student visa, which the ministry said expired in May and had not been officially extended. In August, he submitted himself to migration authorities and after paying a fine, was given 10 days to renew his VISA. According to the ministry, at no point did Gomez apply for political asylum in Colombia.

Valles, who was expelled over the weekend, also entered Colombia on a student VISA, and was studying at a military college in Bogota.

Colombian authorities confirmed that both men had been deported for “carrying out activities expressly prohibited under their VISA conditions.”

Political activity

Both men were expelled under the conditions of article 105 from 2004, which gives authorities the right to expel foreigners “who in the opinion of the immigration authorities carry out activities that threaten national security, public order, public health, social tranquility, public safety,” or when intelligence reports indicate that they pose a risk to national security for the same reasons.

More:
http://colombiareports.co/colombia-deported-venezuela-activist/