- Title: Venezuelan asylum seekers in Mexico surge as crisis deepens
- Date: 5th August 2017
- Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (AUGUST 04, 2017) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF MEXICO'S FOREIGN MINISTRY REUTERS REPORTERS ARRIVING FOR INTERVIEW WITH DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER SOCORRO FLORES FLORES DURING REUTERS INTERVIEW REUTERS REPORTER ASKING FLORES A QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICO'S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN SOCORRO FLORES, SAYING: "In the case of Venezuela, it is directly connected to the situation the country is going through because if you don't see a single request in 2014, not a single request in 2015; and 1,420 in just the first quarter of 2017 when the situation in Venezuela got more polarised, well then of course it is related to the increase of requests." MORE OF REPORTER ASKING FLORES A QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICO'S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN SOCORRO FLORES, SAYING: "Venezuela is a divided country, it is a polarized country, and it will require a lot of vision and a lot of international support to sit down and have a dialogue that can find a solution. The region does not want to see a Venezuela engulfed in violence and chaos. Beyond the political divide, there is a complicated humanitarian and economic situation. Through dialogue they could reach a solution that will benefit the region and Venezuela." FLORES SAYING BYE TO REPORTERS AT END OF INTERVIEW
- Embargoed: 20th August 2017 00:29
- Keywords: surge of asylum seekers to Mexico Venezuela Nicolas Maduro political crisis in Venezuela
- Location: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- City: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016SVR39J
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Venezuela's deepening political and economic crisis has provoked a surge of asylum seekers to Mexico this year, government figures show, with applications to stay in Mexico setting a record pace.
During just the first six months of this year, 1,420 Venezuelans have sought asylum in Mexico, a nearly four-fold jump compared to the 361 total Venezuelan asylum applicants for all of 2016. No Venezuelans applied for asylum in Mexico in 2014 or 2015.
Venezuelans made up 21 percent of total asylum seekers in Mexico during the first half of this year, compared to just 4 percent during the same period in 2016. About 40 percent of the Venezuelan asylum applicants have received approval, making them eligible for other protections and benefits including the possibility of obtaining a work visa, while the rest are still being processed. Mexico's Deputy Foreign Minister Socorro Flores linked the surge in applications to the political, social and economic crisis happening in Venezuela.
In the latest twist in the slow-motion crisis, Venezuela's chief prosecutor was fired on Saturday (August 05) and ordered to stand trial, less than 24 hours after a newly elected legislative superbody was installed with sweeping powers to strengthen President Nicolas Maduro's grip on power. Flores told Reuters that dialogue could bring Venezuela back from the brink.
Street protests since April in the South American nation have left more than 120 people dead as rock-throwing protesters have been met by rubber bullets, water cannon and tear gas. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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