How does the closure of their consulates in Ecuador impact Venezuelans?

A month has passed since the Venezuelan government closed its embassy and consulates in Quito and Guayaquil after the breaking of relations with Ecuador and the effects are beginning to be felt.

“The Venezuelan would have to go to the nearest consulates. The closest consulates are between Peru and Colombia. Peru requires a visa for Venezuelans. Therefore, it would not be an option,” explains Betzabeth Jaramillo, president of the Yo te Apoyo Foundation. .

According to a recent report by the Yo te Apoyo Foundation, an organization dedicated to working with migrants, the impact is broad and deepens the vulnerability of a population already affected by significant migratory and economic challenges.

The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, ordered the closure of the diplomatic legation and its consulates on Ecuadorian soil in mid-April after police forces forcibly broke into the Mexican embassy in Quito and They arrested former vice president Jorge Glasaccused of corruption.

Venezuela’s decision came after the breaking of diplomatic relations between Mexico and the government of Daniel Noboa.

Jaramillo pointed out that the Venezuelan community in Ecuador is made up of about 475,000 people, and it is estimated that between 10 and 30% of that number could be initially affected by the Maduro government’s decision.

The foundation directed by Jaramillo has made an “x-ray” of 10 groups affected by the Caracas government measure and indicates that among the effects are the expiration of documents, interruption of consular appointments and even minors affected due to the retention of their documents prevents their “school enrollment and access to health services.”

For Venezuelans, the situation becomes even more complicated due to the lack of employment or low salaries, which makes moving to Colombia expensive.

Added to the previous drawbacks is that of security. Leonela Rodríguez, a young migrant, recounted an incident in which she was assaulted and lost important documents, leaving her vulnerable.

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