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Venezuela is a country in South America which borders between Colombia and Guyana. Other neighbouring countries include Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru.

Before the refugee crisis, Venezuela was rich with oil and very prosperous. There was a very stable political system consisting of democratic frameworks before Hugo Chavez.

The crisis can be tracked back to the early 2000’s when Hugo Chávez was elected president and began implementing socialist laws and policies. This is a cultural settlement activity because the political scene of the country was remodeled, which affected the economic and social state of the country.

Venezuela heavily relies on its abundant resources in the oil industry, and when oil prices heavily dropped in 2014, Venezuela’s economy began its collapse. As an effect of this, hyper-inflation, and corruption from the government worsened the situation.

This economic collapse resulted in shortages of food, water, medicine, shelter, and other basic supplies, leading to rises in unemployment rates as well as national poverty. More than 7.7 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2014.

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Push Factors:

Scarcity of food leads to increased prices. The people are unable to afford food.

Difficulty in purchasing most basic needs such as food and medicine, due to low wages and little job opportunity.

Political tensions tracked back to when Hugo Chavez was elected president and implemented socialist policies.

Pull Factors:

Major host countries such as Peru and Colombia are neighbouring Venezuela, meaning shorter and safer travel.

These countries have better infrastructure and economic situations which contrast to the failure of Venezuela’s economics.

The political systems of these neighbouring countries consist of Presidential Democratic systems.

Choices:

As of April 2024, more than 7.7 million Venezuelan refugees (UNHCR) have fled Venezuela due to the economic collapse, and the political situation.

Colombia hosts 1.7 million Venezuelan immigrants and is a neighbouring country. However, many have the goal to reach the United States, who hosts more than 500,000 Venezuelan immigrants and is a lot further. (Statista)

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Venezuelan Children travel through massive trash dumps

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Due to the economic crisis, many citizens, and government, of Venezuela resorted to illegal habitat destruction, such as illegal mining and deforestation. The Vice President Delcy Rodriguez claims it is vital for “promoting economic growth,” (Mongabay). Around 90% of Venezuela’s mining activity is illegal, despite the government claiming that they give permits for “legal mining,” (Science Panel for the Amazon).  This is a large impact on the natural environment, by mass destruction.

The Venezuelan trash management system has also failed. OEP estimates that around 28,000 tons of trash is dumped every day, and only 5% of it is recycled. The rest of the trash ends up in the environment, which contaminates water and the ecosystem. This is an unhealthy impact on the natural environment, caused by the instability of the country.

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Political tensions on streets have impacted everyday people

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The NGO “Alert” in Venezuela reported multiple sightings of “irregular armed groups in the country committed human rights abuses, including killings, torture, kidnapping, internal displacement of Indigenous communities, trafficking in persons, and exploitation of women and children.” [social impact]

According to the U.S state government report: “Observers noted Maduro representatives confiscated the assets of political opponents to intimidate and punish them. In January, de facto authorities broke into Auristela Vásquez’s (a Venezuelan Politician) apartment and announced that it was being confiscated. There were no reports of restitution being made for such property seizures.” This is both a political and social impact because the tensions have led to little reinforcement of laws and mistreatment of citizens.

According to the Great Integrated Household Survey in Colombia, the share of refugees and immigrants that were women was 47.6% in 2018, while it increased to 50.2% in 2020. This pattern of data suggests that the amount of woman immigrants have been increasing since the beginning of the crisis. This could be related to the rates of pregnancy, as well as age. [demographic impact]

These factors have all contributed towards the more than 7.7 million Venezuelan immigrants around the world. This is a historical impact because this is the largest recorded refugee crisis in the Americas.

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Settlement Activities

Venezuelan migrants and immigrants have decided to set up large refugee camps on the U.S. Mexico border and the banks of the Rio Grande. This is a physical settlement activity because the immigrants are changing the landscape of Mexico, so that more camps can be created.

Originally, Venezuelan immigrants were allowed to fly to Mexico. After mass amounts of Venezuelan migrants arrived, Mexican visa restrictions were created, and many refugees had to take on journeys by foot and bus. This is a cultural settlement activity because new laws are being created, caused by the immigrants.

Costs

Illegal migrants/immigrants that choose to reside in Mexico are at risk of being deported back to Venezuela or forcefully moved to isolated areas in South Mexico.

The journey to Mexico and the U.S. border is extremely dangerous due to human trafficking and exploitation.

Most illegal migrants in Mexico do not have access to stable housing and are forced to live in migrant camps. These camps are often cleared out by government.

Benefits

There are better economic opportunities and stability in Mexico than in Venezuela. Programs have been instituted to help immigrants, such as the government providing around $110 a month for them.

Recognized refugees have the right to work, formal employment, and social protection systems. They also have access to education and health governmental programs.

Employed Migrants in Mexico have the ability to send remittances back to their families in Venezuela.

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Man-made barriers have been created at borders to prevent Venezuelan immigrants from crossing, due to the mass amounts of Venezuelan immigrants in Mexico trying to cross into the U.S. These have included installations of razor wires, floating barriers in the Rio Grande, and new bases for National Guards. This is an impact on the man-made environment.

Many immigrants have been forced to move to Southern Mexico, where many have set up migrant camps. These shelters often become overcrowded, and many cleared by the Mexican or U.S. government. This is an impact on the man-made environment as these locations used to be empty but are now overcrowded with migrant campsites.

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“Migrants say they must pay corrupt officials at Mexico’s frequent government checkpoints to avoid being sent back to southern cities. Each setback is costly and frustrating.” This is a political impact as governmental corruption is occurring so that these Venezuelan migrants do not get deported.

Government officials and migrant advocacy groups arrived at migrant camps on the banks of the Rio Grande in order to persuade these groups to abandon their camps and board buses to shelters where they claim space is available. This is a social impact as these migrants are being persuaded to move around by the government and others.

Many migrants that have arrived in Mexico from Venezuela, waiting to enter the United States, have been deported back to Venezuela, or forcefully moved to other locations. Mexico has signed agreements with Venezuela to deport migrants, but also employ them. These agreements also agree that migrants in Mexico will be given around $110 a month, as well as working opportunities in both countries. These are demographic and economic impacts as people are being moved around due to these agreements, but also presented with better economic opportunities.

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Bilingual Voting sign in English and Spanish found in Florida

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Settlement Activities

These immigrants often have the priority of learning English, meaning more communication is happening between locals and immigrants, allowing for the spread of culture and beliefs. This is a cultural settlement activity as ideas are being shared between the two groups of people.

Many Venezuelans use new economic opportunities to start their own businesses, look for a job, and use their money to rent or purchase homes. The function of many things, such as road and voting signs (above), are being changed to help mass amounts of Venezuelan immigrants. This is a physical settlement activity because businesses and homes are being created, and physical objects are being altered to fit Venezuelan immigrants.

Incentives

When compared to the political situation in Venezuela, the United States offers a much safer environment where more economic opportunity, as well as the environment, which is much more functional for people and their families.

The crime rate in Florida is lower than the national average, steady at 3.8 per 1,000 people. Venezuela is dealing with lots of crime due to politics, which makes the United States a attractive destination.

Choice

Although most immigrants choose to resettle in Colombia, there are still a huge number of immigrants attempting to move to the United States.

Wages in Colombia are very low, so even when migrating from Venezuela to Colombia, the economic opportunity is still very little.

Immigrating to other countries in South America allow for escape from political tension, but still does not provide economic opportunity.

The United States presents both economic opportunity and a stable political state.

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The Latina Women's League begins English classes for immigrants in Florida

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Costs

Most of the Venezuelan immigrants speak little to no English, meaning that they are not able to communicate with locals.

The Venezuelan immigrants are still a minority in contrast to United States citizens or people living in Florida. This means that they must still adapt to Western cultures, beliefs, and experiences.

The cost of living in Florida is slightly above the national average.

Benefits

There are many benefits that the U.S. government provides for immigrants and asylum seekers, such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Medicaid, Social Security, Cash Assistance, English Classes, and many more.

There is already a lot of Venezuelan culture and tradition due to the mass amounts of immigrants already there.

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"Florida Immigration Bill Likely to Hurt Construction Labor Market" -Commercial Observer

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There has been significant investment from Venezuelan immigrants on real estate and housing market, particularly in the Miami metropolitan area. This investment has led to impacts on the man-made environment through growth in buildings and communities, as well as construction in residential and commercial buildings across the state.

However, this construction work has led to destruction of natural habitats and disruption of local ecosystems. This is extremely visible through the increase of stormwater runoff, which pollutes local water sources. This is an impact on the natural environment.

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Venezuelan festivities in Doral, Florida

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Venezuelan immigrants have created new businesses, which allow for entrepreneurship and new job opportunity. Venezuelan-owned businesses such as restaurants and professional services have blossomed in cities like Miami and Doral. This is an economic impact because the immigrants are contributing to the economics of Florida by working.

They have been very vocal about the political and economic landscape of Venezuela, aiming to raise awareness and advocacy. This is a political impact as these actions have influenced a U.S. foreign policy towards Venezuela, which aims to stand with politicians who are pro-democracy and anti-Maduro.

Venezuelan immigrants have also helped contribute and shape Florida’s cultural and social diversity. They have contributed new types of cuisine, art, music, and traditions to the people and the state. This is a social impact because Venezuelan cultural events have been created, such as the "Great Drum Festival of San Juan" and "Sentir Venezuela," and are very popular which creates hubs of Venezuelan-American culture and community.

The increasing amount of Venezuelan immigrants in Florida have contributed to the Hispanic and Latino population of the state. This is both a historical and demographic impact as this shift in demographics has influenced the state’s political view and landscape, and voting patterns. Hispanic and Latino representation have shifted from what it historically has been.

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Red Cross Movement Volunteers in Panama City, Florida.

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Regional Connection - Red Cross Movement

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Regional Connection - Red Cross Movement

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In response to Venezuelan migrants and refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Red Cross Crescent Movement is strengthening responses to the crisis by providing protection and assistance to Venezuelans in 17 South American countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, and Colombia. These new migration programs have spent over $264 million to address all needs for vulnerable refugees, including support to healthcare, income, and protection services. More than 6,900 Red Cross volunteers and staff have been working in the Americas since 2017, with local, national, and international stakeholders to ensure their mission. This international help has been mostly based in Panama City, Geneva, and Ottawa. This is an example of a social, political, and economic impact caused by the refugee crisis, because these organizations in the U.S. have voiced their opinion on the crisis, and gathered volunteers and money in order to help the refugees.

https://www.ifrc.org/press-release/red-cross-steps-support-venezuelan-migrants-including-refugees-across-17-american

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Aragua, Venezuela - Example of the conflict

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Aragua, Venezuela - Example of the conflict

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In March 2017, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) filed an application of the extrajudicial killings of brothers Israel Benjamín, Martín Daniel, Leonel David, and Leonardo José Manaure Flores, to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The killings happened in Aragua, Venezuela, after Police (CICPC) officers raided their home. The officers informed the media that they were criminals, however their mother claimed none of her sons had criminal records, three were students, and one working in construction. Although an investigation was created, the IACHR found that no significant progress was being made by the police. This is an example of the political and social tensions that are making people flee.

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Venezuelan Refugee and Migrant Crisis (IOM)

An insight into the last wave of Venezuelan migration (XCHANGE)

Venezuelan Humanitarian Crisis (UNHCR)

Venezuela’s environmental crisis is getting worse. Here are seven things to know (Mongabay)

Leading countries of destination of Venezuelan emigrants (Statista)

2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Venezuela (state.gov)

Demographic Characteristics of Migrant and Refugees in Venezuela (DTM)

Venezuelans stuck in Mexico (APnews)

Venezuelan Migrants set up encampment in Juárez (El Paso Times)

Displacement in Mexico (UNHCR)

Venezuelan Immigrants in the United States (MPI)

Why are there so many Venezuelans going to the United States? (NYTimes)

Venezuelan Migrants in South Florida (NYTimes)

Doral's Venezuelan Cultural Events and Festivals (Provident)

Red Cross steps up to support Venezuelan migrants (IFRC)