Wayuu people with dual nationality continue to cross the border in the search for work, with most of them heading to Colombia, Peru and Chile.
According to information provided by Sailyn Fernández, an indigenous communicator for Radio Fe y Alegría Noticias, the members of the indigenous community have migrated due to the critical situation in the country. However, only a limited number of the Wayuu hold a second nationality, which allows them greater guarantees.
The Guajira Human Rights Committee has documented the cases of many indigenous citizens who leave the country without the required documentation in order to help their families back in the country.
According to the coordinator of the Committee, José David González, an estimated 100 Wayuu people leave every day in groups that cross into Colombia. “Once there, they seek to emigrate to other places such as Ecuador, Chile, Peru and other Latin American countries.”
One child and one man of the Wayuu community died on their way to Peru
A Wayuu family of 8 from the state of Zulia left for Peru in search of better living conditions, but they suffered a road accident while in Colombia, in which José Fabián Chacín, aged 10, and a man identified as Miguel Montiel (32) lost their lives.
The deceased were repatriated and given a Christian burial. The bodies had already started to decompose, but the family opposed cremating them.
Translated by Jose Rafael Medina
