ZCZC
BFF-12
ECUADOR-VENEZUELA
Venezuelans surge into Ecuador to beat visa deadline
QUITO, Aug 27, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – More than 13,000 Venezuelans surged into Ecuador over the weekend ahead of strict new immigration controls that took effect Monday, the government said.
“Between Saturday 24 and Sunday 25, 13,110 Venezuelan people entered the country,” a government source said.
New visa controls that came into force at midnight Sunday (0500 GMT), require Venezuelans to hold a passport — difficult to get in their own country — and certified criminal record details.
Previously, Venezuelans could enter Ecuador using simple ID cards.
The vast majority crossed into Ecuador via the Rumichaca bridge bordering Colombia.
The government says around 300,000 Venezuelans fleeing the country’s economic crisis have taken refuge in Ecuador.
That number is already straining the country’s health care system, and the figure is expected to grow to 500,000 by the end of 2019.
The United Nations says some 3.3 million people have fled Venezuela since 2016. Colombia has taken in more than 1.4 million with large numbers also going to Peru and Chile.
Ecuador announced the restrictions earlier this month, following similar moves by Peru and Chile.
BSS/AFP/AU/08:35 hrs