Consular crisis: Venezuela suspends procedures in Peru amid rising tension.

The Venezuelan embassy in Peru has decided to indefinitely suspend all consular services, generating significant concern among Venezuelan citizens residing in the Andean country. In a statement issued on its social media, the diplomatic mission announced that it will not process appointments for the issuance, renewal, or collection of passports, nor for visas or travel documents. This measure comes at a critical moment marked by the political and social crisis in Venezuela, which has led thousands of citizens to seek refuge in other countries. The suspension has prompted an immediate response from Venezuelans in Peru, who have gathered in long lines outside the embassy, demanding the return of their passports. According to reports from local media, nearly 2,500 citizens are waiting to collect their documents, a situation that has created an atmosphere of frustration and anxiety. This scenario highlights the vulnerability of migrants, who rely on consular services to regularize their situation and access opportunities abroad. Peruvian authorities have had to deploy a police contingent to secure access to the embassy, aiming to control the crowd that has gathered outside the diplomatic mission. The situation reflects the discontent and desperation facing the Venezuelan community, which often feels trapped between the decisions of a government that cannot guarantee their rights and the lack of viable alternatives in the host country. Alongside this announcement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru issued a statement demanding the departure of Venezuelan diplomatic officials accredited in the country, who must leave the territory within 72 hours. This measure responds to the recent demand from the Venezuelan government for several Latin American countries, including Peru, to withdraw their representatives from Venezuela, in a context of escalating diplomatic tension in the region. The Venezuelan embassy has also indicated that it will personally contact those holders of foreign passports who had submitted their documentation for visa processing. However, uncertainty persists among compatriots about when they will be able to access their documents and what implications this suspension will have on their migratory status. The situation is even more complex considering the instability facing Venezuela. The delicate reality in the country has forced millions of Venezuelans to seek new horizons in nations like Peru, where they have integrated into various communities. Now, with this suspension of consular services, many find their ability to work, study, and live peacefully in their new home threatened. Reactions to this crisis have been varied. Some community leaders have urged calm and the peaceful organization of citizens to demand their rights through appropriate channels, while others have expressed their outrage at the disinterest of Venezuelan authorities in providing support to their compatriots abroad. The reality is that with each passing day without a solution to this situation, the pressure on the Venezuelan community in Peru increases. Recent events also highlight the fragility of diplomacy in Latin America, where relationships between governments are affected by the decisions of the regimes in power. In this context, the international community is closely watching developments, hoping for solutions that respect human rights and the dignity of migrants. The suspension of consular services at the Venezuelan embassy in Peru is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by migrants in crisis situations. As the situation for Venezuelan citizens becomes more complicated, the response from Peruvian authorities and the international community becomes crucial to ensure that their rights are protected and that they can find a viable path towards a better future.