Venezuelan migrants make long trek back home

Hundreds of Venezuelan migrants anxious to return to their homeland remain stuck at the border with Colombia waiting to get in.

Migration authorities say 300 Venezuelans were allowed back on Friday – but another 600 remain stuck in Colombia until at least Monday.

A long line of men, women and children packed closely together – many not wearing face masks – formed this week in the border city of Cúcuta .

Colombia migration officials say Venezuelan authorities are only allowing 300 compatriots to return at a time three days a week, creating a bottleneck situation. An estimated 15,000 Venezuelans in Colombia are trying to return.

Many are taking long journeys by foot and bus to reach the border.

An estimated 1.8 million Venezuelans live in Colombia and about 75,000 have returned since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, at least 4.5 million Venezuelans have fled their country's political and economic turmoil in recent years.

Bryan Hernandez was among those who didn't get one of the 300 entry spots Friday.

"This is the reality Venezuelans live," he said. "You can't even return to your country."