The National Times - Chile to repatriate Venezuelans stranded at Peru border

Weather - Sydney 20°C

Chile to repatriate Venezuelans stranded at Peru border

POLITICS 04.05.2023

Chile to repatriate Venezuelans stranded at Peru border / Photo: © AFP/File

Chile on Thursday confirmed it will send home a planeload of hundreds of Venezuelan migrants that have spent weeks stranded at the northern border with Peru.

Change text size:

Groups of Venezuelans, Haitians and Colombians have spent more than two weeks stuck in the border area after leaving Arica in northern Chile because Peru refused to let them continue into the town of Tacna, alleging they lacked the necessary documentation.

Last week, authorities in Lima declared a state of emergency at the country's borders, deploying troops to reinforce checkpoints and block undocumented workers from crossing over from Chile.

Many of the migrants say they are trying to go home, or seeking to continue northwards in a bid to reach the United States.

"I would like to confirm the arrival of a Venezuelan airplane at the Arica airport to collect a pretty large group of migrants who are currently stranded at the border," said Chile's foreign minister Alberto van Klaveren.

Chile has also sent soldiers to its borders to help control the entry of undocumented migrants and Congress has approved a law ordering the detention of migrants not carrying documentation.

According to the UN refugee agency, there are on average 150 to 200 migrants a day left stranded between the South American neighbors.

The repatriation flight is part of a program launched by the Venezuelan government, said Van Klaveren.

The flight will take stranded migrants from both sides of the border.

F.Harris--TNT

Featured

Ireland and Ukraine consider drone cooperation memorandum after Dublin talks

Ireland and Ukraine exploring joint memorandum on drones following bilateral Ireland and Ukraine are exploring forming a joint memorandum on drones, the Taoiseach said following a bilateral meeting with the Ukrainian President.

ANC’s Renewal Rhetoric Fades as Voters Reject Party in 2026 Local Elections

After nearly twenty years of official pledges to reverse internal decay and restore public trust, the African National Congress (ANC) faces a stark reality check following the 2026 local government elections. The results indicate that South African voters no longer believe in the party's capacity for renewal, marking a significant shift from the era when the ANC maintained overwhelming electoral support despite early warnings of structural crisis.

Cuban Diplomat Warns U.S. Blockade Is Severing People-to-People Ties

Cuban diplomat Gabriela Castillo warns that escalating U.S. sanctions are severing vital human connections between the two nations, particularly affecting academic exchanges and longstanding solidarity with African American communities. She argues that political coercion is inflicting collective punishment on Cuban civilians while erasing opportunities for mutual understanding.

Home Affairs Deploys AI to Clear Asylum Backlog Amid Staffing Crisis

The South African Department of Home Affairs has launched a new digital platform utilizing artificial intelligence and biometric technology to overhaul the country’s asylum process. The initiative aims to resolve a severe operational bottleneck, as only nine officials were managing thousands of outstanding appeals at the start of the current administration. Officials warn that registering an intention to apply does not grant automatic protection against immigration enforcement.

Change text size: