Medellin’s social inclusion office counted 8142 total people living in street situations in official figures released this week. Venezuela and Ecuador account for the majority of foreign nationals within this group.

The city has completed 488 voluntary humanitarian returns for foreign street residents, conducted together with Colombian migration authorities. Medellin officials cite drug use, untreated mental health conditions and broken family ties as common documented causes of street residency.

The city ombudsman office estimates the actual total street population may be as high as 15000 people.

Migración Colombia stated 80 foreign nationals were expelled from Bogotá following joint operations across 15 city localities. Authorities have said over 100 foreign nationals, mostly from Venezuela, are expected to be deported through these operations.