US will recognize expired Venezuelan passports.

NNA - The Trump administration says it will recognize the validity of Venezuelan passports for five years beyond their printed expiration dates.

The State Department announced Friday that the passports will be considered valid for visa applications and entry into the United States in recognition of a decision by the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

Opposition leader Juan GuaidE recently signed a decree extending the lifespan of Venezuelan passports. Obtaining a new passport or getting an extension is an expensive and lengthy ordeal for many Venezuelans.

Many of the estimated 4 million Venezuelans who have fled in recent years have left without a valid passport.

The United States is one of several countries now recognizing expired Venezuelan passports. GuaidE is recognized by the U.S. and over 50 other nations as Venezuela's legitimate president ---AP

========== R.K.

[c] NNA 2019 LEBANON Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).