Some Venezuelans return home as virus spread

As Colombia continues with a nationwide lockdown, some Venezuelan migrants are deciding they are better off back in their homeland.

According to Colombian authorities, nearly 600 Venezuelans returned to their country over the weekend through a humanitarian corridor.

Many like Jesus Ocaña say they have not been able to find work as businesses remain shuttered and people are ordered to stay inside because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 21-year-old was heading back to Venezuela by foot Monday from Bogota, a journey he expected to take him about 15 days.

The returning migrants represent a small number of the total who live in Colombia with an estimated 1.8 million Venezuelans residing in the neighboring Andean nation.

According to the United Nations, over 4.5 million Venezuelans have fled in recent year, deciding to abandon their nation amid a deep economic contraction and humanitarian crisis.

Migration officials say tens of thousands of Venezuelans arrived in January and February, but at lower levels than typically seen.

Meanwhile, a higher number fled to other countries, mostly through flights from the Bogota airport.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has said he will welcome back any compatriots returning by land.

The border with Colombia is officially closed and diplomatic relations severed but a humanitarian corridor was created.

He said Sunday at least 1,500 have returned thus far and that he expects about 15,000 total to come back.

The head of state said the Venezuelans will be "rigorously" tested for coronavirus symptoms and required to quarantine for 14 days as a precaution.

Nonetheless, some Venezuela have posted videos on social media saying soldiers detained them at a bus terminal in the border town of San Antonio.

The migrants include pregnant women, children and the elderly and complained of little to not access to food and water.