Peru FA Min: Over 13,000 compatriots repatriated to date

Within this framework, the cabinet member specified that —since the start of the national emergency due to COVID-19— his portfolio adopted various measures to identify Peruvian citizens who were stranded overseas, thus providing assistance and guaranteeing their return to the homeland.

"From March 17 to date, more than 13,000 Peruvians have been repatriated from 26 countries. More than 5,500 citizens were in the United States, of whom 1,800 were youth from the Work and Travel Program. Other 6,500 returned from Latin American countries, and the rest mainly from countries in Europe and Oceania," he expressed.

In this sense, the cabinet member specified that repatriation was possible thanks to State flights, especially run by carriers from nations such as the United States, as well as those from South America and Europe. Such flights allowed the return of 33,000 foreign citizens who had remained as tourists in Peru.

Given to the closure of borders and of Jorge Chavez International Airport, a first transfer of S/12.9 million (about US$3.81 million) was ordered —which has already been executed— to support Peruvians stranded abroad. Additionally, a second transfer of S/7 million (about US$2.07 million) was made, which is still under execution.

Before the completion of State flights from other countries, the diplomat said that he is evaluating charter flights to be financed by the Republic of Peru and the returning Peruvian citizens, as well as joint flights with other nations that have compatriots abroad.

"Repatriation efforts will be more focused on the cities where there are more compatriots; for instance, there are cases in Miami (U.S), Australia, and South Africa from where the return is complex," he added.

Later, the high-ranking official specified that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a virtual registry for Peruvians who want to return to their country. So far, there are a total of 10,000 registered. He also lamented the death of 82 Peruvians abroad due to the pandemic.

Remarks were made during the minister's participation in the virtual session of Congress' Foreign Affairs Commission.