Brazil ranks second among countries receiving Venezuelan refugees, UNHCR says

The crisis facing Venezuela caused 52 thousand nationals to seek refuge in other countries this first half year, said William Spindler, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), during a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

In six months, the number nearly doubled. Up to last year, refugee applications totaled 27 thousand worldwide, with Brazil being the second biggest target for Venezuelans, with 12,960 applications under review, preceded only by the US, with 18.3 thousand.

As a result of a long tradition of brotherhood among Latin American countries, Venezuelan citizens in neighboring countries enjoy the benefit of a number of ways to live in these countries temporarily. “However, due to bureaucratic obstacles, long wait times and high costs incurred when having documents issued, many Venezuelans choose to stay in the country illegally instead of following protocol or applying for refugee status,” he adds.

Some 30 thousand Venezuelan nationals are estimated to live illegally in Brazil, 300 thousand in Colombia, 40 thousand in Trinidad and Tobago.

In Brazil, in addition to granting refugee applications, the National Immigration Council allows foreigners from neighboring countries to be granted up to 2 years' temporary residence after coming into Brazil by land.

The UNHCR says they are working in cooperation with authorities in Brazil, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago to clarify identities and registers, reinforce refugee rights and provide humanitarian assistance to applicants with specific needs. But the High Commissioner once again urges countries to protect the rights of Venezuelans to seek refuge and gain access to just and effective procedures.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira