Colombia: Migration Authority Announces 62 Percent Jump In Venezuelan Migrants

Colombia's migration authority announced Jan. 19 that the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Colombia increased by 62 percent — to more than 550,000 people — during the last half of 2017, Reuters reported Jan. 19. Of those people, 126,000 migrants can legally stay, which includes 69,000 individuals who have obtained a humanitarian visa. Venezuela's deteriorating economy and steep inflation have driven migrants to neighboring Colombia, where the government has struggled to provide the influx of migrants with food, shelter and medical services. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the organization is willing to provide additional humanitarian aid to assist Colombia deal with the flow of migrants.