Bugging Out, Passports and Cash

Hi Fernando,
Thanks for your blog!
Here is a link that I thought you might find helpful for your blog readers.  Good reminder to have an updated passport while times are good!
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-03-10/millions-venezuelans-try-flee-country-they-run-problem

Tomás Páez – author of “The Voice of the Venezuelan Diaspora” – told Bloomberg that since Chávez took power in 1999 nearly 2 million Venezuelans have fled the country and hundreds of thousands are marking their time until they obtains the funds and the passport that will allow them to leave.
Maduro has acknowledged the issue of the chronic shortages in passports and last week launched a new “online” option that will rush a passport to customers within 72 hours for about double the price of waiting in line. The website, however, has crashed numerous times and it is unclear how many passports have been expedited through this process. Saime has stated that the backup in processing passport applications is because the agency lacks enough “materials,” but did not specify what that means. Observers say that while the government may not be able to afford the paper to make the passport. Paper products in the country, including toilet paper, are in short supply in Venezuela. But skeptics think the Maduro government may also be trying to keep people from leaving the beleaguered nation.

Karyn from California
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Hello Karyn, thanks for your email.
Indeed, passports and money (a good bit of it in cash!).  I’ve explained many times before how these two are the most important assets to have when bugging out abroad.
The thing with passports is, timing is key. In most countries getting a passport takes time. If you want to apply for a second one due to family ancestry it may take years.
The lesson folks is get your passport and keep it updated even if you’re not planning on going anywhere.
Also, if you think you may be able to apply for Irish, British or any other second citizenship, don’t waste any time, contact the embassy and get it done while you can. It can one day be, by far, your most valuable asset… or your grandkids.
FerFAL

Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”.