Will Venezuelans with expired passports not be able to enter their country?

In recent hours, information has circulated that the government of Nicolás Maduro began to implement new restrictions that affect 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 established 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 points out that, if they do not have a valid Venezuelan passport, they must request a travel document from the Consulate or Venezuelan Embassy accredited abroad and register it with the airline at least 72 hours before boarding.

It is also noted that Venezuelans with an identity card will not be allowed to board, even if it is valid.

“Those Venezuelan passengers who have dual nationality must present a valid Venezuelan passport. In the event that the Venezuelan passport is expired, you will not be able to be boarded even if you have your passport of your other valid nationality,” he adds.

Venezuelan authorities have not confirmed the new restrictions.

These announcements have generated concern among the diaspora, especially those who reside 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 the face of speculation, 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 passport 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 for Identification, Migration and Immigration in Caracas.

This measure affects those who carried out the procedure in countries where Venezuelan consulates have ceased operations. For this reason, citizens must travel to Caracas to collect their travel document.

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