The Venezuelan government accused Peruvian authorities on Sunday of fomenting "xenophobia" against the large Venezuelan exile population after a series of incidents of apparent mistreatment of migrants.

The recent political crisis in Venezuela has seen a large number of people fleeing abroad, with some ending up in Peru. 

The initially welcoming attitude to Venezuelans around South America has soured amid accusations they bring crime, crowd the job market, and strain social services.

The mood appears to be particularly ugly in Peru, where videos circulating on social media in recent days appear to show a young Venezuelan woman being beaten in the street at night, a street-seller complaining of harassment by police, and pamphlets demanding the migrants' exit.

"These are shameful and inhuman acts, permitted or committed by Peruvian government authorities and encouraged by hate campaigns against Venezuelans," the Venezuelan government said in a statement issued by Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza.

"Venezuela denounces the Peruvian government for violating and neglecting its international responsibilities by promoting and allowing acts of segregation and xenophobia," it added, saying various "racist" governments in the region were working with Venezuela's opposition.