Mayor Eric Adams faced public backlash during his recent visit to the Colombian port town of Necoclí, a primary transit point for thousands of migrants attempting to navigate the perilous Darien Gap—a known route for smuggling migrants from South America to North America.
During his visit, an individual was heard shouting, “Shame on you, Eric Adams!” accusing the mayor of potentially escalating violence against migrants in the United States. This criticism came after Adams had recently advised asylum-seeking migrants not to come to New York.
Another protester displayed a sign urging the mayor to “Go back to New Jersey you migrant-hating creep.”
Addressing the local media, Mayor Adams emphasized that the visit offered him firsthand knowledge of the Darién Gap.
Colombian authorities gave him a comprehensive overview, including an aerial survey of the challenging terrain.
Adams stated, “It was crucial for us in my delegation to come here and engage on the ground,” and commended Colombia’s efforts, adding, “This is a true learning experience of how Colombia has really shown a direction that we can all benefit from by analyzing what they are doing and how we can grow on what they are doing to show the humanity they deserve.”
The mayor further stressed the necessity for a united approach among countries to address the migrant issue effectively.
Before his Necocli visit, Adams was shown certain areas of the Darien Gap. However, due to safety concerns, he was only permitted to view entry points and was restricted from entering the gap or directly communicating with migrants.
Sharing his concerns about the conditions he witnessed, Adams remarked, “No place of any real hygiene.” He further voiced his fears, saying, “What I don’t want is what played out on the beaches of Colombia to play out on the streets of New York.”
Concluding his four-day tour of Central and South America, Mayor Adams highlighted the trip’s intent—to directly engage with migrants and provide an accurate depiction of life in New York City.
Before this journey, Adams emphasized that he would convey to migrants that arriving in New York does not guarantee luxury accommodations or immediate work opportunities.
The mayor has repeatedly stated that migrants are receiving misleading information about the benefits of New York City, leading thousands to flock to the city.
The mayor’s broader agenda on this tour included networking with regional leaders and advocating for a collective global strategy to address the migration crisis.
