Foreign Affairs Minister Gustavo Meza-Cuadra has reported that more than 15,500
Peruvian nationals have been repatriated since
the closure of borders and suspension of international flights to prevent the spread of coronavirus (covid-19) in Peru.
The government official noted that this is part of a large effort led by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with support from the Foreign Trade-Tourism and Health Ministries, the National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci), as well as Peru's immigration office.
"We have brought more than 15,500, and we estimate that the number (of Peruvians who remain abroad) is more than 10,000, in addition to those who have lost their jobs or students, who are joining the group," he said in statements to Canal N local channel.
According to
Meza-Cuadra a total of 3,000 compatriots will be returning next week, of whom 1,500 come from Arica (Chile) by land as part of a repatriation operation that started on Saturday.
"We are going to continue repatriating our compatriots. Some are stuck in distant countries, but with imaginative measures, like co-financing the flights, we attempt to bring those who are experiencing difficulties (…)," he added.
In the case of the United States, the minister reported that many are stranded in Miami, while in Latin America, those seeking repatriation are in Sao Paulo (Brazil), Bogota (Colombia), and Mexico City (Mexico).
(END) JCC/CVC/RMB/MVB
Published: 5/25/2020