Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie says the exodus of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans from their country has led to a "predictable and preventable" migrant crisis in South America.
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Jolie, special envoy for the United Nations refugee agency, is ending a three-day visit to Peru where she met Venezuelan refugees at a shelter in the capital Lima and visited a border crossing in the country's north.
She discussed ways to solve the crisis and garner international support during a meeting with Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra on Tuesday.
Jolie also thanked Peru for helping Venezuelans gain legal status in their country and urged governments worldwide to support procedures that help refugees apply for asylum.
"None of the Venezuelans I met want charity" Jolie said.
"They want an opportunity to help themselves."
Since 2015 more than 1.9 million people have left Venezuela, according to the United Nations and some 400,000 have moved to Peru. The UNHCR has described it as the largest population movement in Latin America's recent history.
Venezuela's government has denied there is a migrant crisis and said its enemies are playing up the situation in order to justify an invasion of Venezuela.
On Monday, Venezuelan Socialist Party boss Diosdado Cabello mocked Jolie's visit to Peru, writing on Twitter that it was merely a show that "right wing media" are using to distract from a caravan of thousands of Central American migrants heading to the United States.
Australian Associated Press
