On Monday (1st), Colombia expelled nine members of the Lev Tahur Orthodox Jewish sect, after authorities rescued 17 children who were being held in its custody in the northwest of the country, and international search warrants were issued for five of them due to the risk of becoming victims of human trafficking.
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The director of the government’s immigration agency, Gloria Arriero, announced in a video statement that the nine adult members of the sect “were handed over to the United States authorities” after their expulsion.
Lev Tahur faces cases of sexual assault and abuse of minors in several countries. Colombian authorities received an alert about her presence in the country with minors.
On Monday, the 17 children were placed on the same flight to New York, accompanied by Colombian authorities. Since their rescue at the end of November, they have been in a family care center under state responsibility.
A Colombian immigration spokesman explained to AFP that unlike adults, minors have not been expelled and will be handed over to child protective services in the United States.
Photos published by authorities on Monday show members of the sect, wearing long black jackets and accompanied by children, passing through security filters at Medellin airport.
Interpol is investigating the sect and has issued red arrest warrants against some of its followers. According to authorities, they were in Colombia “looking for a country where there are no restrictions to continue alleged illegal activities.”
Ariero explained that the minors “entered the country accompanied by at least one of their parents.” But Colombian authorities activated searches, as “none of the adults had current legal custody.”
Five of the minors, considered at risk of human trafficking, had an international search warrant from Interpol.
In December 2024, 160 children held by this group in Guatemala were rescued. Many of its followers have been arrested and charged with human trafficking, forced pregnancy and arranged marriage between minors.