Venezuela’s exodus continues as Maduro digs in

Refugee crisis builds in neighbouring countries with no end in sight to political stalemate

Gideon Long in Maicao, Colombia

Jesús Lozano’s story speaks volumes about the lengths to which Venezuelans will go to leave their crisis-wracked country.

With his left leg amputated above the knee — the result of a tumour — Mr Lozano, 44, crossed the border to Colombia on crutches two years ago. He had nowhere to go and no job waiting for him, but even so felt he had to escape.

For months he lived on the streets of Maicao, a city close to the countries’ arid northern border, selling sweets and begging for money.