Columbian Farmers Stopped At Cancun Airport

A group of 10 Colombian farmers, scheduled to participate in an agroecology exchange program in the Yucatan Peninsula, were detained at Cancun International Airport. After several hours, they were informed they would not be granted entry into the country.

The Agro-ecological and Conservation Center “Náaybi Lu’um” of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, along with other Yucatan associations and groups participating in the meeting, expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation. They claimed the Colombian farmers were unjustifiably held and treated in a manner they described as "inhumane and discriminatory".

The group insists that they met all entry requirements, including reservations, itinerary, invitation letters from UNAM, and return flights.

The complainants reported that the Colombian farmers were deprived of their cell phones and isolated for several hours in what they described as cells. They were held with others who had apparently been there for several days.

The farmers were not given any explanation as to why they were denied entry into the country. They were also not given the opportunity to communicate with the Colombian chancellery. Upon their deportation, they were lined up, escorted by immigration agents, and treated as if they were criminals.

The involved parties have expressed their outrage and are calling for an investigation into the incident. They want it to be recognized and publicized as a human rights violation.