US Homeland Security Secretary Noem visits Colombia to discuss immigration and crime

BOGOTÁ (AP) — U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Colombia on Thursday as part of a tour of three Latin American nations to discuss immigration, crime and deportation.

Her trip comes amid a souring in relations between the Trump administration and the Colombian government – long the United States' closest ally in the region. Tensions between the two countries rose in January over accepting flights of immigrants deported from the U.S.

Noem sat down Thursday morning with Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia, and said they had a “frank discussion and a candid discussion” about deportations, crime and immigration.

“We're committed to working hand-in-hand with our Colombian partners to enhance not only border security but also that we will support the enforcement of our criminal laws,” Noem said.

Sarabia emphasized the importance of recognizing the “human rights and dignity of migrants are actually respected.”

The officials also signed an agreement that would expand the sharing of biometric data for law enforcement.

Later in the day, Noem met with police and Colombia's leftist President Gustavo Petro. The leaders discussed security, drug trafficking and repatriation of Colombians, according to Colombia's presidential office, though few further details were shared about the meeting.

Petro and U.S. President Donald Trump, both populists, share diametrically opposed views over key issues like combating crime and the American government’s role in Latin America.

The visit marks a contrast to Noem's Wednesday visit to El Salvador, where she met with President Nayib Bukele, a populist who has gained right-wing admiration in the U.S. due to his crackdown on gangs.

Noem also visited the country's massive prison complex for alleged gang members, where hundreds of Venezuelans deported by the U.S. government are being held under allegations that they were members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, despite little evidence presented by the Trump administration. These deportations are being challenged in court.

On Friday, Noem is set to visit Mexico and meet with President Claudia Sheinbaum as her government has worked tirelessly to negotiate with the Trump administration to offset the Trump's tariff threats. Despite efforts by Sheinbaum, Trump announced a 25% tariff on auto imports on Wednesday.

An aide holds an umbrella over Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a light drizzle, as she departs National Police headquarters after meeting with the Counter Organized Crime Group, in Bogota, Colombia, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, center, meets with the National Police's Counter Organized Crime Group at the Colombian National Police Directorate in Bogota, Columbia, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem greets officers as she arrives for a meeting with the National Police's Counter Organized Crime Group at the Colombian National Police Directorate in Bogota, Columbia, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

An aide holds an umbrella over Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a light drizzle, as she departs National Police headquarters after meeting with the Counter Organized Crime Group, in Bogota, Columbia, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, at table on right, and Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia sign a Biometric Data Sharing Program Letter of Intent in Bogota, Columbia, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, right, and Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia speak as they sign a Biometric Data Sharing Program Letter of Intent in Bogota, Columbia, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, right, meets with Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia in Bogota, Colombia, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, at right podium, gives a joint news conference with Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia after signing a Biometric Data Sharing Program Letter of Intent in Bogota, Columbia, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, right, and Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia shake hands after signing a Biometric Data Sharing Program Letter of Intent in Bogota, Columbia, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem takes questions from the press before boarding her plane at Comalapa International Airport in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran has proposed negotiations after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic as an ongoing crackdown on demonstrators has led to hundreds of deaths.

Trump said late Sunday that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports mount of increasing deaths and the government continues to arrest protesters.

“The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what’s happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night.

Iran did not acknowledge Trump’s comments immediately. It has previously warned the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has accurately reported on past unrest in Iran, gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran crosschecking information. It said at least 544 people have been killed so far, including 496 protesters and 48 people from the security forces. It said more than 10,600 people also have been detained over the two weeks of protests.

With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. Iran’s government has not offered overall casualty figures.

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The semiofficial Fars news agency in Iran, which is close to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, on Monday began calling out Iranian celebrities and leaders on social media who have expressed support for the protests over the past two weeks, especially before the internet was shut down.

The threat comes as writers and other cultural leaders were targeted even before protests. The news agency highlighted specific celebrities who posted in solidarity with the protesters and scolded them for not condemning vandalism and destruction to public property or the deaths of security forces killed during clashes. The news agency accused those celebrities and leaders of inciting riots by expressing their support.

Canada said it “stands with the brave people of Iran” in a statement on social media that strongly condemned the killing of protesters during widespread protests that have rocked the country over the past two weeks.

“The Iranian regime must halt its horrific repression and intimidation and respect the human rights of its citizens,” Canada’s government said on Monday.

Iran’s foreign minister claimed Monday that “the situation has come under total control” after a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests in the country.

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim.

Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed.

Iran’s foreign minister alleged Monday that nationwide protests in his nation “turned violent and bloody to give an excuse” for U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene.

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim, which comes after over 500 have been reported killed by activists -- the vast majority coming from demonstrators.

Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed.

Iran has summoned the British ambassador over protesters twice taking down the Iranian flag at their embassy in London.

Iranian state television also said Monday that it complained about “certain terrorist organization that, under the guise of media, spread lies and promote violence and terrorism.” The United Kingdom is home to offices of the BBC’s Persian service and Iran International, both which long have been targeted by Iran.

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed.

A huge crowd of demonstrators, some waving the flag of Iran, gathered Sunday afternoon along Veteran Avenue in LA’s Westwood neighborhood to protest against the Iranian government. Police eventually issued a dispersal order, and by early evening only about a hundred protesters were still in the area, ABC7 reported.

Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran.

Los Angeles police responded Sunday after somebody drove a U-Haul box truck down a street crowded with the the demonstrators, causing protesters to scramble out of the way and then run after the speeding vehicle to try to attack the driver. A police statement said one person was hit by the truck but nobody was seriously hurt.

The driver, a man who was not identified, was detained “pending further investigation,” police said in a statement Sunday evening.

Protesters burn the Iranian national flag during a rally in support of the nationwide mass demonstrations in Iran against the government in Paris, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)