Many Colombians Falsely Claiming Deportation from Venezuela

Many Colombians Falsely Claiming Deportation from Venezuela
Published 14 September 2015 (17 hours 37 minutes ago)

Several reports show citizens use fake deportation claims to gain government benefits.



About 20,000 Colombian citizens have crossed the border from Venezuela back into Colombia, according to United Nations figures published Sunday, although Colombian authorities are acknowledging a growing number of incidents where people have falsely claimed having been deported.

The U.N. report makes it clear that about 18,000 Colombians have returned to their country of origin out of “fear of being deported” – something the Venezuelan government claims in unfounded.

Many are said to be going back only to claim the benefits the government of Colombia is offering to those claiming deportation.

The 20,000 comes from calculations after the Venezuelan government decided to close the border crossing of Paraguachon, in Zulia state. However, most of the Colombian citizens are returning to the city of Cucuta.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced last month that his government would provide jobs and a subsidy to victims of Venezuela's deportations.

More:
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Colombians-Return-From-Venezuela-in-the-Thousands--20150914-0003.html