April 29, 2023, 10:00 AM
April 29, 2023, 10:00 AM
After two weeks of migratory and diplomatic crisis on the border between Peru and Chile, these two governments together with Ecuador and Venezuela are considering opening a humanitarian corridor for hundreds of migrants seeking to return to their countries of origin.
Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Venezuela andThey are evaluating the possibility of opening a humanitarian corridor so that hundreds of migrants who left Chilean territory can cross to their countries of origin, informed the Peruvian Minister of the Interior, Vicente Romero.
Governments are trying to find a solution for the migrants, mostly Haitians, Venezuelans, Colombians and Ecuadorians, who have left Chile in the last two weeks after the tightening of immigration controls.
Peru prevents them from passing alleging lack of documentation. President Dina Boluarte even decreed last Wednesday a 60-day state of emergency on her borders and ordered the dispatch of soldiers to reinforce surveillance and face insecurity associated with foreigners.
“At the foreign ministry level, work is being done with Chile, Ecuador and also with Venezuela to be able to see and how they can cross those borders and not have any problems,” the Peruvian Interior Minister told a local media outlet.
The official added that it is important “to give the necessary security to all foreigners who voluntarily want to return to their country.” “Once the humanitarian corridor is established, it will be carried out as it should be,” the minister promised.
According to the UN Office for Refugees (Acnur), an average of between 150 and 200 migrants gather daily on the border between Chile and Peru.
Faced with the blockade by the Peruvian authorities, some have crossed through irregular crossings towards the Peruvian border city of Tacna and others have settled on the Chilean side, in the city of Arica.
This Friday, dozens of soldiers began to deploy on the borders with Chile and Ecuador, according to local television images. “We will exercise vigilance and patrol in those critical and sensitive points where illegal entry is being evidenced,” Defense Minister Jorge Chávez told the press.
The NGO Amnesty International advocated for the demilitarization of the borders and expressed its “deep concern” for the “absolute precariousness in which” stranded migrants find themselves.
“The governments of Peru and Chile are unnecessarily aggravating the situation, turning it into a humanitarian crisis that increases the risk to the lives and safety of these people,” the organization said in a statement.
