CASE STUDY The Wayuu People The Wayuu people reside in the northern part of South America, in an area extending across the national borders of Colombia and Venezuela.341 The Wayuu traditionally moved freely across borders and have strongly advocated before the authorities of both countries for the right to continue to do so.342 Border police do not always require a national identity card or a passport, particularly from those wearing traditional Wayuu clothing or speaking Wayuunaiki, but they have been known to do so, which makes any difficulty in obtaining identification documents a significant problem for members of the group.343 The Constitutions of both Colombia and Venezuela entitle the Wayuu people to dual nationality on a jus soli basis, based on a principle of reciprocity between the two states.344 However, the administrative processes governing issuance of identity documents in both countries345 leave most Wayuus with only one nationality and leave some in a state of unconfirmed nationality, entitled to dual nationality yet in many respects functionally stateless.346 Wayuu applicants are unable to obtain identity documents.347 In addition to occasionally causing problems in crossing the border, the lack of documentations prevents the Wayuu from accessing services at hospitals, government offices, and schools. 78 COUNTRY PROFILES l COLOMBIA