As asylum applications by Venezuelans soar, UNHCR steps up response

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. As the situation in Venezuela continues, the number of asylum applications by citizens of that country has soared. Last year, there were some 27,000 Venezuelan asylum seekers worldwide. So far in 2017, over 52,000 have applied for asylum. The main countries of destination for Venezuelan asylum seekers this year have been the United States (18,300), Brazil (12,960), Argentina (11,735), Spain (4,300), Uruguay (2,072) and Mexico (1,044). Aruba, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Ecuador, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago, have also received asylum applications by Venezuelans in 2017. More…