TUMBES: Thousands of Venezuelans rushed to Peru’s northern border on Friday to enter the Andean country before it imposes tough immigration requirements at midnight. Peru is one of the most welcoming destinations for the migrants in South America but the country closes door to them now.

Venezuela’s economic collapse under President Nicolas Maduro has triggered the biggest migratory crisis in recent Latin American history. It has put pressure on countries like Peru – a developing nation of 32 million people – to grapple with an unprecedented surge in immigration.

On Thursday alone, 5,849 Venezuelans entered Peru at Tumbes, compared to a daily average of around 1,500-2,000 in recent months, reveals the data provided by Peru’s immigration office on Friday. (Agencies)