South America Refugee Crisis: Venezuelan refugees eager to enter Peru before residency expires

World
Europe

02:59

Around six-thousand Venezuelans have gathered on Peru's northern border with Ecuador. They had hoped to get into Peru before a residency permit deadline expired on Wednesday. CGTN's Dan Collyns has more from Lima.

South America's humanitarian crisis continues. A line of Venezuelans stood for hours on Peru's northern border with Ecuador. Many had travelled thousands of miles through Colombia and Ecuador hitching rides, some on buses and others by foot. All trying to enter the country before the end of Wednesday in order to be eligible for a temporary residency permit.

FRANCISCO RIOS PERUVIAN IMMIGRATION OFFICE "From the first of November, all Venezuelans who cross into Peru will have a tourist visa with a maximum stay of 133 days."

The restriction comes just weeks after actress Angelina Jolie - the UN special envoy for refugees - visited Peru to oversee the crisis. She spoke to Venezuelan migrants and thanked Peru's President Martin Vizcarra for his country's welcome. But speaking to the foreign press, Vizcarra said Peru could not continue to offer residency:

MARTIN VIZCARRA PERUVIAN PRESIDENT "We have something like 500,000 Venezuelans, so we have to look for a balance between our attitude of solidarity and the real possibility of giving them the attention they need alongside our fellow Peruvians. So we can't say the residency permit will continue indefinitely, no."

The deadline had been set for the end of this year but it was moved up to Wednesday to help Peru cope with the influx.

DAN COLLYNS LIMA "As Venezuelans race to Peru's northern border to beat the visa deadline, here in the capital Lima many more are battling with red tape to make sure they get a coveted residency permit before the lifeline disappears altogether."

The temporary residency permit allows Venezuelans to legally live, work and study in the country:

MILADYS RODRIGUEZ VENEZUELAN MIGRANT "We are sad because if they don't let them in, they'll have to return to Venezuela or stay in Ecuador."

Neighboring Colombia has closed its doors as has Ecuador. Despite some tensions, the mostly young Venezuelans have managed to find low-paying jobs in Peru.

BAKER BACO VENEZUELAN MIGRANT "My experience here in Peru has been very pleasant. The people are warm, and in spite of the fact I'm not in my country, I feel very comfortable."

As Venezuela's oil-based economy has slumped further into hyperinflation, the UN says nearly two million Venezuelans have left since 2015. Dan Collyns, CGTN, Lima.