Sunday, October 7, 2018

Venezuela forms Migration Force as thousands continue fleeing

Venezuela, a country that used to be prominent and one of the wealthiest countries in Latin America until 2014, when its oil prices dropped and worsened with Nicolas Maduro’s fiscal mismanagement. The Venezuelan government has announced the creation of a new police force to strengthen border controls as thousands of people continue to flee the country's political and economic crises. This new Migration Force will start taking control of Venezuela's 72 official entry and exit points as soon as possible, and would reinforce the existing controls in ports, airports and border crossings. According to the United Nations, more than a million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2015, with Colombia being one of the most popular destinations among Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and several other American countries. Maduro blames the situation on an "economic war" being waged against Venezuela by the US and other foreign powers. Nonetheless, in September, it was revealed that officials from the Trump administration held secret meetings with Venezuelan military officers to discuss plans to overthrow Maduro.

By Isabel G. Torres

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