Peru will limit the entry of Venezuelan immigrants

Peru will prevent Venezuelans from crossing the border from next week, the mbadive influx of migrants fueling social tensions in the Andean country. As of 15 June, migrants should to apply for a humanitarian visa from the Peruvian consulates before leaving VenezuelaPresident Martín Vizcarra announced. Currently, they can apply for a humanitarian visa at the border.

More than 700,000 Venezuelan migrants have entered Peru since 2017which puts pressure on public services and increases competition for jobs. Vizcarra said that security was also a reason for stricter entry conditions. "We open our arms as Peru has always done, but now we have to do it, we will rigorously control the people who come in," said Vizcarra. "We want to ensure orderly and safe migration."

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Vizcarra spoke from the country's main airport in Lima, after overseeing the expulsion of 52 Venezuelans that, according to the government, they used false documents to enter the country and hide their criminal record. He added that his government would continue to support regional efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela and put an end to the crisis in the country. Arequipa, the most populous region of southern Peru, has called for the restriction of immigration after the participation of two Venezuelans in the murder of a couple.