Approximately 2,800 Venezuelans migrate daily across the four international bridges that connect the state of Táchira with the department of Norte de Santander, Colombia, according to information provided by the former mayor of the Bolívar municipality and border issues analyst, William Gómez.
Gómez said that, of that number, some 1,300 people migrate by stamping their passport before the authorities of the Administrative Service of Identification, Migration and Immigration (Saime), and another 1,500 do not stamp their exit in Venezuela, but rather cross directly into Colombia only with an identity card or an expired passport, since in the neighboring country it is permitted to pass in transit and request humanitarian asylum with an expired passport.
He indicated that in September there was an increase in the departure of Venezuelans from the country, due to the political instability that exists due to the results of the presidential elections on July 28. “Due to the entire scenario that we all know in Venezuela, it has generated a continuation of political uncertainty in our country, in addition to this, the economic situation continues, low employment opportunities, development within the country and of course also the low purchasing power, which causes these people to seek greater opportunities and development in other countries to improve their quality of life,” he added.
William Gómez explained that the main characteristic of this new wave of migration is that they are financed by relatives who are abroad, or young people who continue to risk crossing the Darien jungle to reach the border with Mexico and cross into the United States.
He said that the main land exit route is the Simón Bolívar International Bridge that connects San Antonio del Táchira with Villa del Rosario, where immigration authorities estimate that about 300 people immigrate daily with a passport stamp, and 900 to 950 citizens without a passport stamp.
Gómez pointed out that those who cannot use the Maiquetía airport also leave through this border because flights to certain countries with which Venezuela broke diplomatic relations have been suspended.
“These people who were thinking of migrating by air will now do so by arriving at the Táchira border, either by air or by land, and are crossing borders to use Colombia as a transit point from the Camilo Daza airport in Cúcuta or the El Dorado airport, to either travel by air to all of South America or to the European continent, specifically the city of Madrid,” he stressed.
The former mayor of the Bolívar municipality asked international agencies to continue supporting, monitoring and providing humanitarian assistance to Venezuelan migrants, since most of them are in vulnerable situations and require the support and accompaniment of all countries.
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2024-09-25 06:38:18
