Passports in Colombia are at the center of a growing crisis. ¿What if getting your passport depended on a vague contract, unknown companies, and political decisions made without explanation? It may sound like a mystery series plot… but that’s exactly what’s happening in Colombia. Just weeks before a key contract for passport production is set to expire, the government faces a perfect storm: administrative setbacks, legal doubts, political turmoil, and many unanswered questions. And at core, a much deeper issue: who should be responsible for producing out identity documents.

How is a passport made ?

A Passport isn’t just a Little booklet with your photo and nationality. It’s a document that must include rather advanced technologies: bimetric chips, security paper, invisible inks, encrypted QR codes… all while complying with strict international standards.

In Colombia, passport production has historically been handled by private companies through public contracts. The most recent one wasn’t signed directly with the well-known Thomas Greg & Sons, but rather with something far more opaque: the Temporary Union Travel Documents 2025, a consortium whose real members remain largely unknown.

According to Alfredo Saade, the new Chief of Staff, there may be “ghost actors” behind this legal structure, a statement that has naturally raised more than a few eyebrows.

A swift change of course with backing from above

So, how did the government respond to the chaos and growing mistrust? By moving fast.

• On one hand, it assigned the production of the new passports to the National Printing Office of Colombia, a public entity authorized to produce official documents under Law 109 of 1994.
• On the other, it sought support from an international partner: Casa da Moeda of Portugal, a recognized expert in document manufacturing.

According to Alfredo Saade, all of this is being done under the direct instruction of President Gustavo Petro. But of course, overhauling an entire system in record time is no easy task. Contracts must be rewritten, technology updated, staff trained, new processes implemented… all while a political crisis erupts following the resignation of Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia.

Will there be enough passports for everyone? Are we sure?

The government has delivered a clear message: there is no reason to panic — there will be no shortage. Saade assures that with the current supplies, around 520,000 passports can be issued over the next four months. Still, the public and the press continue asking questions that remain unanswered.

Here’s a summary of the most pressing doubts still unresolved:

❓ Key Question	📌 Current Status
Are there enough supplies?	Yes, enough for around 4 months, according to the government
Will the new system be ready by August?	No confirmation yet
Has the contract with Portugal been signed?	Unclear; there is talk of progress, but no official signing
Has a state of emergency been declared?	No, although the situation suggests it
What will the transition cost?	Costs have not been publicly disclosed

Despite optimistic statements, these unanswered questions continue to cause concern. After all, passports in Colombia, (documents required to travel, work, or even prove citizenship), cannot be left to improvisation. While the government’s effort to regain control of the process is acknowledged, the lack of concrete and verifiable information continues to fuel mistrust.

The debate over passports in Colombia: Public vs. Private Control

This debate is not just about how passports are made using advanced technology. It goes much deeper, it’s about who should have control over something as important as our identity.

• On one side, some believe that private companies are faster, more efficient, and possess the required technology. They argue it’s better to leave this task to them, as it saves the State time and money.
• On the other hand, some believe the State should be in charge of such vital documents as passports and national ID cards. They argue that entrusting private companies, which can be hard to monitor and may have conflicting interests, poses a risk to national security and sovereignty.

Transitioning from a private to a public model requires planning, resources, and clear processes. Many observers have noted that making this shift in a short period, amid political instability, could create uncertainty. In the case of identity documents like passports, used to travel, vote, or identify oneself before authorities, the strength of the system is key to maintaining public trust.

The debate around who should control the issuance of passports in Colombia remains open, and no definitive solution has yet been reached.

National matters should not be improvised

A passport is not just a document: it’s what allows you to travel, identify yourself, and exercise your rights. That’s why it cannot depend on improvised decisions or murky procedures.

At iLingo Traducciones, we work daily with documents that demand precision and trust. We understand that when it comes to identity, everything must be in order, right from the source.