MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chilean and Venezuelan authorities cooperate to repatriate stranded migrants

“There is a firm determination of the government of President Gabriel Boric to take charge of migration in all its senses, in an orderly and safe manner,” Sanzana explained

Venezuelan authorities Sunday flew back 115 migrants who were stranded in northern Chile through the Plan Vuelta a la Patria (Return to the Homeland Plan), it was announced by Caracas. The Foreign Ministry said on Twitter that: “115 Venezuelan men and women are happily returning to their homes thanks to a new day of the Plan Vuelta a la Patria,” an initiative in force since 2018.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font said the flight leaving from Arica to the Simón Bolívan international airport serving Caracas was “a diplomatic triumph” and congratulated both Foreign Ministries for the achievement. Boric also promised that his government would be “permanently in contact” with other countries in the region to “guarantee the return in dignified conditions” of all migrants who wish to do so.

The Venezuelans had been stranded for weeks on the Chilean northern border without enough water, food, or sanitary services, and were unable to return to Chilean territory or enter Peru due to the tightening of migratory controls.

”The plane has just taken off (...) to Caracas and 115 people who were registered to leave have boarded it,“ Chilean government delegate Ricardo Sanzana told reporters in the city of Arica, 2,000 km north of Santiago.

The plane was boarded by 115 Venezuelans who had been waiting for more than two weeks at the Chacalluta border crossing, on Chile's border with Peru. Hours before boarding, they were transferred to shelters in the city of Arica.

”There is a firm determination of the government of President Gabriel Boric to take charge of migration in all its senses, in an orderly and safe manner,” Sanzana added.