U.N. urges Peru, Ecuador to ease entry for Venezuelans fleeing hardship

[August 23, 2018]    GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations refugee and migration agencies called on Latin American countries on Thursday to ease entry for Venezuelan nationals fleeing economic hardship and a deepening political crisis.

Venezuelan migrants wait outside a temporary shelter in the San Juan de Lurigancho district of Lima, Peru August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Guadalupe Pardo

They voiced concern at new passport and border entry requirements in Ecuador and Peru, while praising states for hosting more than 1.6 million Venezuelans who have left since 2015.

"It remains critical that any new measures continue to allow those in need of international protection to access safety and seek asylum," U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said.



(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by John Stonestreet)

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