-
Guatemala receives first arrivals of Ukrainians fleeing Russian assault
The Arab News reported, citing Reuters, Guatemalan authorities said that the country on Friday received its first arrivals of Ukrainian families fleeing their homeland since Russia’s invasion of its neighbor last month.
An immigration spokesperson told Reuters, the eight Ukrainians were the first to arrive in the Central American country “for humanitarian reasons."
Officials said that another flight carrying more Ukrainians arrived several hours later. It is unclear how many may have arrived privately in Guatemala since the Russian attacks on Ukraine began.
“I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I hope the war ends soon,” said one of arrivals in a video disseminated by Guatemalan authorities. “It’s hard to say how much my heart hurts for my mother and father in Ukraine, who can’t leave.”
Guatemala’s announcement was the first on Ukrainian arrivals from the Central American countries known as the Northern Triangle — also including Honduras and El Salvador — which have themselves seen much of their populations emigrate due to violence and poverty.
Saudi Arabia and Gulf to be key energy partners as EU plans to reduce dependency on Russia
A rising number of Ukrainians and Russians have fled to Latin America in recent months, including those who turn up at the United States-Mexico border.
Source: arabnews
