Croatian Colombians

Croatian Colombians are Colombian citizens of full or partial Croatian descent or Croat-born people residing in Colombia. It is estimated that are 5,800 Croatian descendants living in Colombia.

History
The first Croatian immigration to Colombia began at the second half of the 19th century and the 20th century. Most of the immigrants came from Dalmatia, Slavonia and Lika, while others came from the coastal regions of Hvar and Brač. A notable Croatian manufacturer of strawberries was Ignacio Frezik, who immigrated to Colombia during World War ll fleeing from four concentration camps.

However, most of the Croatian immigrants settled in Bogotá, Barranquilla, Cali, and Medellin. Included are Istro-Romanians, who became adjusted to Colombian society because of the linguistic similarities between Istro-Romanian and Spanish, as well as Latin identity of Istro-Romanians.

Notable people

 * Franco Kanayet Yepes, businessman
 * Margareta Restovic Prado, owner of the sugar cane plantation
 * Ivo Serniche Kafarel, businessman
 * Jorge Pedraza Katich, publicist
 * Ignacio Frezik, strawberry producer