Mass migration from Venezuela puts pressure on neighboring nations

Americas Now

Rising prices, a shortage of goods and a lack of electricity and medical care have Venezuelans fleeing their country. It is the largest mass exodus South America has experienced in recent history

Neighboring nations have imposed new rules for entry as thousands have been arriving at their borders each day. Peru, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil are all coping with intense pressure from the influx.

Correspondent Harris Whitbeck reports from Ecuador, another country feeling the strain of the crisis and one that’s already seen its share of mass migrations.

The United Nations is comparing Venezuela’s current surge in migration to Europe’s Mediterranean migrant crisis in 2015. The organization is also putting together a team to help coordinate a relief effort.