If you’ve ever scrolled through the comments section on any of my Colombia videos, you’ve probably seen it: “Go home, gringo.” Or maybe: “You’re not an expat, you’re an immigrant—stop sugarcoating it.”
And then, of course, the big one: “Foreigners are ruining Colombia. You’re driving up rents and causing gentrification.”
It’s the kind of pushback that can sting. And you know what? I get it. When your neighborhood suddenly fills with Airbnbs, trendy cafés, and prices that don’t look anything like what your parents paid, it can feel like outsiders are taking over. The word expat itself doesn’t always sit right—why is it that when someone from the U.S. or Europe moves abroad, they’re called an “expat,” but when someone from Latin America moves north, they’re labeled an “immigrant”? That double standard frustrates people, and understandably so.
But here’s the side of the story that doesn’t fit neatly into a YouTube comment: Colombia’s remarkable transformation over the past three decades would not have happened without foreign investment—and yes, without foreigners choosing to live, work, and spend money here.
How Foreign Money Helped Colombia Rebuild
After the chaos of the Escobar years, Colombia needed more than optimism—it needed capital, jobs, and confidence. Foreign direct investment brought exactly that.
Billions in Capital: Since the 1990s, tens of billions of dollars have flowed into Colombia from banking, mining, energy, retail, and tourism. That money built infrastructure, created jobs, and helped stabilize the peso.
Economic Growth: Between 2000 and 2019, Colombia’s GDP grew more than fourfold. International institutions like the World Bank credit foreign investment as one of the main engines of that growth.
Global Confidence: When multinationals opened offices in Bogotá or Medellín, it wasn’t just about profit—it was a vote of confidence that Colombia was stable and safe enough to bet on again.
And then there’s tourism. Back in 2000, Colombia attracted about 600,000 international visitors. By 2019, that number had topped 4 million annually. That’s billions of dollars flowing into hotels, restaurants, taxis, airlines, and tour operators—all run by Colombians.
Jobs: Who Really Benefits?
Here’s a myth I hear a lot: foreigners come in, take jobs, and locals get left behind. The reality? It’s the opposite.
Local Hiring: Yes, foreign companies often bring in a handful of supervisors from abroad. But the overwhelming majority of employees are Colombian—from engineers to accountants to call center reps.
Indirect Jobs: Every expat renting an apartment, grabbing an Uber, or buying groceries supports Colombian landlords, drivers, and shopkeepers. Economists call this the multiplier effect: one dollar spent by a foreigner gets passed through multiple Colombian hands.
Everyday Impact: If you or someone you know has ever worked in aviation, tech, banking, or even in a restaurant in Bogotá or Medellín, chances are that paycheck traces back to foreign capital.
So, instead of draining resources, foreigners are fueling the very salaries that keep Colombian households afloat.
The Spending Power of Expats
When an expat or retiree moves to Colombia, they’re not pulling from a Colombian salary—they’re bringing dollars, euros, or pounds and spending them locally. That’s fresh money entering the system.
Daily Life: Every haircut, every dinner out, every rent payment—it all stays in Colombia.
Spillover Effect: Friends and family who visit expats add even more to the tourism economy.
Self-Sufficiency: Unlike undocumented migration elsewhere, most expats arrive legally and with financial resources. That means less burden on public services and more direct support for local businesses.
Gentrification vs. Growth
Let’s be real—gentrification is a thing. Foreigners moving into Chapinero in Bogotá or El Poblado in Medellín have pushed rents upward. For some locals, that’s a painful adjustment.
But let’s also look at the flip side:
Neighborhood Revitalization: Safer streets, new businesses, and better infrastructure often follow foreign demand.
Opportunities for Locals: Rising rents may hurt, but they also create opportunities—Colombians renting on Airbnb, starting cafés, or offering services to expats and tourists.
The Alternative: Without this influx of money, some neighborhoods might still be suffering from disinvestment or decay. Growth is messy, but stagnation is worse.
What Colombia Gains
So what’s the big picture?
Credibility: Expats living in Colombia and foreign companies investing here signal to the world that Colombia is stable and worth betting on.
Jobs and Income: Multinational firms and retirees alike pump money into the economy, creating both direct and indirect jobs.
Tourism and Culture: The surge in tourism puts Colombian art, food, and traditions on the world stage.
Safer Cities: Many of the neighborhoods foreigners flock to are now safer, cleaner, and more vibrant because of that investment.
The truth is simple: foreigners didn’t just arrive to enjoy Colombia’s progress—they were part of creating it.
Final Thoughts
So, the next time you see someone type “Go home, gringo” under a Colombia video, remember this: Colombia’s comeback is not just Colombian—it’s global.
Yes, gentrification brings challenges. But without foreign investment, expat spending, and international tourism, Colombia wouldn’t be the vibrant, growing country it is today.
And here’s the kicker: if you’re reading this in Colombia, you’ve almost certainly benefitted. Whether it’s through your job, your apartment building, or even the restaurant you love—foreigners are part of the fabric of modern Colombia.