The Colombian airline Latam Airlines published on its website the information, which has generated concern among Venezuelan migrants.
In the last hours information has circulated that the government of Nicolás Maduro began to implement new restrictions affecting Venezuelan citizens who wish to return to the country with expired passports.
The Colombian airline Latam Airlines published the information on its website: “We inform passengers traveling to Venezuela that the government of this country has provided new measures to enter its territory, which apply immediately”.
It points out that, according to these regulations: “Venezuelan passengers must have their Venezuelan passport valid at the time of travel”.
It also states that, in case they do not have their Venezuelan passport in force, they must request a travel document from the Venezuelan Consulate or Embassy accredited abroad and register it with the airline at least 72 hours before boarding.
It is also warned that Venezuelans with an identity card, even if it is valid, will not be allowed to board.
“Those Venezuelan passengers who have dual nationality must present a valid Venezuelan passport. In case the Venezuelan passport is expired, they may not be boarded even if they have their passport of their other nationality in force”, it adds.
Venezuelan authorities have not confirmed the new restrictions.
These announcements have generated concern among the diaspora, especially those residing in countries where passport renewal can be a long and complicated process, and whose governments do not have diplomatic relations with the Chavista regime.
Human rights organizations and migrant support groups, in view of the speculations, have warned that the possible implementation of this measure could leave many Venezuelans stranded abroad without the possibility of returning to their country of origin.
Venezuelans have to pick up their passports in Caracas
Another information that set off alarms among Venezuelan migrants is that if they processed their passport through consulates that are currently closed, they must pick it up at the main headquarters of the Administrative Service of Identification, Migration and Foreigners in Caracas.
This measure affects those who processed their passports in countries where Venezuelan consulates have ceased operations. For this reason, citizens must travel to Caracas to pick up their travel document.