The Ministry of Foreign Affairs communicates that today, Saturday 31, suceesfuly concluded the evacuation operation of Chileans living in Syria, which transferred a group composed of 23 fellow nationals and two Colombian citizens, who expressed their willingness to temporarily leave the conflict zone.
The transfer, carried out overland from Damascus, gathered evacuees in early hours of the morning in our Embassy and began at 9.20 local time (2.20 am in Chile) crossing the Syrian- Lebanese border several hours later. There, they were received by the Chilean Ambassador to Lebanon, José Miguel Menchaca, and the Consul in Beirut, Rodrigo Fernández.
The operation was coordinated from Santiago by the Crisis Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with the Chilean embassies in Lebanon and Syria. The group of fellow nationals evacuated was directed and assisted by the Consul in Damascus, Roberto Abu-Eid, and the consular officer, José Pérez Afandi, who accompanied them during the whole journey.
The fellow nationals, including 9 minors, were taken by bus to Beirut and will stay at a hotel in that city for an initial period of 15 days. The Chilean Embassy's staff in that country has been instructed to meet the needs of the fellow nationals evacuated.
The transfer to Beirut, located at a distance of 114 km from Damascus, was carried out without any major setbacks, despite heavy congestion at the border crossings.
A second group of six fellow nationals who did not meet the necessary documentation to cross the border will be transferred tomorrow to Lebanon, also assisted by staff from our embassies.
Additionally, the Foreign Ministry –through the consulate that continues to operate in Damascus– will remain in permanent and close contact with the Chileans who have voluntarily decided to stay in Syria. If they decide to leave the country, whether to Beirut or return to Chile, they will be rendered the necessary assistance and guidance.
This group of 23 fellow nationals who have left Syria joins the 41 Chileans who have been evacuated by the Foreign Ministry since the beginning of the crisis in 2011.