Second group repatriated from Venezuela arrives

-Monday, December 2, 2019-

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Friday the General Directorate of Migration announced the arrival of a second group of Costa Ricans, five adults and three children, repatriated from Venezuela due to living in a risky conditions.

The return of Costa Ricans was arranged by the General Directorate of Migration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the support of the consulate located in Panamá.

"The arrival of Costa Ricans takes place because of the socio-political and economic situation that Venezuela is going through," said the Directorate of Migration in its statement.

According to Immigration, the cost of the trip for the eight people was $8,910, which was financed with resources from the Social Migration Fund.

The case of children had to request and authorized exit permit from the Venezuela government because they hold both Costa Rican and Venezuelan nationality, Immigration said.

One of the repatriates named Castillo, a 53-years-old, said that he has practically lived a life in Venezuela since his father took him to that country while still a child.

“They took me to study. I am happy to get back to Costa Rican land. I think and believe that only in a democracy you can live a good and stable life, " said Castillo.

In a similar case, another repatriate named Giralt, a 64-years-old, had to travel 18 hours from the city where he lived, Táchira, near the border with Colombia, to get to Caracas, said immigration.

“I am happy to arrive in Costa Rica. I feel they have given me high support, " said Giralt. However, he could not bring his wife, for lack of documents.

In July, the first group of repatriates from Venezuela, six women and three men, arrived. The process for this first Costa Rican group stared in April, said the General Directorate of Migration.

According to statistics provided by Immigration, last year, 20 Costa Ricans were repatriated from other countries, because their lives were in high-risk circumstances. Also, two bodies of Costa Ricans who died in other countries were repatriated.

This year, 18 Costa Ricans have already been repatriated from other countries.

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What could the authorities do to speed up the repatriation process of Costa Ricans from Venezuela? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com.