Meet Beto Coral, Activist Targeted by ICE for Criticism of Trump-Backed Colombian President-Elect

Democracy Now!

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Video Summary

Franklin Humberto "Beto" Corral Gorido, a Colombian activist and asylum seeker, was detained by Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) agents in Phoenix, Arizona, in June. A memo from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleged that Corral used his presence in the U.S. to support the Petro government in Colombia, claiming his political activity undermined U.S. foreign policy. Corral’s attorney, Elizabeth Shaw, stated that his arrest followed his public criticism of Colombian president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella.

After spending a month in various detention facilities, where he reported experiencing inhumane treatment and solitary confinement, Corral opted for voluntary departure to Colombia on July 16th. His legal team maintains that his detention was a direct retaliation for exercising his First Amendment rights to express political opinions regarding his home country.

Short Highlights

Beto Corral was detained by HSI agents in June following his political criticism of Colombian president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella.
A memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Corral of undermining U.S. foreign policy interests.
Corral reported experiencing inhumane treatment and solitary confinement during his month in detention.
Corral accepted voluntary departure to Colombia on July 16th, withdrawing his pending asylum application.

Key Details

Detention by HSI Agents [00:02:26]

Beto Corral was detained by HSI agents while grocery shopping with his son in Phoenix.
Agents did not present a warrant or legal documentation during the arrest.
They never presented me, uh, with a warrant or any other legal document. They simply handcuffed me once I got into the vehicle, put me the shackles.

Detention Conditions [00:03:30]

Corral reported being held in multiple facilities, including Florence, Arizona, and locations in Louisiana and Mississippi.
He alleged that he was denied food and water and kept in solitary confinement during transfers.
The treatment I received was, uh, inhuman. And I was always single out and, uh, hundred first.

Political Context and Memo [00:04:45]

Attorney Elizabeth Shaw noted that the arrest occurred shortly after Corral demonstrated against Colombian president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella in Miami.
A memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited Corral's political activity as the basis for his targeting.
Corral Gorido has used his presence in the United States to conduct political activity in support of the Petro government, unquote, and accused Corral of undermining U.S. foreign policy interests in Colombia.

Voluntary Departure [00:07:25]

Corral’s legal team negotiated a deal for voluntary departure to avoid formal deportation.
He withdrew his asylum application and returned to Colombia on July 16th.
Beto was not deported. We, uh, his legal team had negotiated a deal for him to accept voluntary departure, meaning that he is not deported from the United States.