MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – Mexico will impose visa requirements on Venezuelan visitors, the interior ministry said yesterday, as the country attempts to stem a steep rise in the number of people from the South American nation trying to enter the United States illegally. The ministry said in a document published online that it had detected a “substantial increase” in Venezuelans entering Mexico to reach a third country, as well giving false declarations on their motives for arrival.
Venezuelans, many of whom have been departing their homeland due to the sustained economic turmoil the country has faced, do not currently need a visa to enter Mexico as tourists.
Reuters last month reported that Mexico was considering steps to impose tougher entry requirements on Venezuelans, partly in response to requests from the United States, which is dealing with record numbers of migrants at its southern border.
“The growing trend in the migratory flow of (Venezuelan) nationals … in irregular transit to a third country stands out, marking an increase of more than 1,000% compared to the same period in the previous five years,” the ministry said.
The ultimate destination of the overwhelming majority of migrants passing through Mexico is the United States.
The U.S. government has urged Mexico to help it reduce the flow of illegal immigration across the U.S.-Mexico border, which has created a major challenge for President Joe Biden.
The visa requirement on Venezuelans follows a similar move by Mexico on Brazilian nationals. In September, Mexico suspended visa exemptions for Ecuadorians for six months following a jump in that country’s nationals heading to the U.S. border.
The ministry said the visa requirement would take effect 15 days after the notification was published in the government’s official gazette, a step which is still pending.