Venezuelan Election Sparks Regional Concerns Over Migration Crisis
President Nicolás Maduro’s contested re-election has sent shockwaves across Latin America, raising fears of a renewed Venezuelan migration crisis. As anxiety grows from Colombia to Chile, experts warn of the challenges ahead for the region.
The re-election of President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, despite widespread allegations of electoral fraud, has not only plunged the country into deeper political turmoil but has also sparked fears of a renewed migration crisis across Latin America. The Associated Press (AP) reported that over the past decade, the economic collapse under Maduro’s rule has forced approximately 7.7 million Venezuelans to flee their homeland, with many seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Now, with Maduro’s grip on power seemingly tightened, the prospect of even more Venezuelans fleeing their country is looming large.
According to Jesus Seguias, who heads the regional pollster Datincorp, millions of Venezuelans had pinned their hopes on political change during the recent elections. The failure of that change to materialize has left many feeling frustrated and uncertain about their future. “They’re now caught in uncertainty, deciding whether to leave their country and join relatives who have already left,” Seguias told AP.
This uncertainty is being felt far beyond Venezuela’s borders. In Peru, which has become a significant destination for Venezuelan migrants, anxiety is palpable. In the capital, Lima, vendors in the city’s largest open-air apparel market expressed concerns about the potential influx of more Venezuelan migrants. Diana Yaranga, a 38-year-old seamstress, shared her worries with AP, noting that Venezuelans already make up more than 20% of the market’s 100,000 vendors. “There will be a fight for jobs,” she lamented, adding that the situation could worsen as more migrants arrive.
Rising Tensions in Chile and Neighboring Countries
The prospect of another wave of Venezuelan migrants is also causing alarm in Chile, where authorities have already taken steps to fortify the country’s borders. As reported by AP, Chile’s Interior Minister Carolina Tohá acknowledged that its scale could increase significantly while a migratory flow has been ongoing. “We must prepare,” she said, highlighting the government’s acquisition of thermal cameras to monitor illegal crossings and the potential deployment of additional security forces along the borders with Bolivia and Peru.
Chile has already seen a backlash against Venezuelan migrants in recent years, with public sentiment increasingly turning against newcomers. In 2021, angry mobs torched a Venezuelan tent encampment in northern Chile, a stark indication of the growing xenophobia. The Chilean government has since tightened visa requirements for Venezuelans, a move mirrored by other countries in the region like Peru and Ecuador. These countries now require Venezuelans to present a passport and clean criminal record, among other documents, making legal entry increasingly tricky.
However, experts warn that these restrictive measures could backfire. Cristián Doña-Reveco, a Chilean sociologist and immigration expert at the University of Nebraska, told AP that such policies may encourage illegal migration, thereby increasing the risks for migrants. “When you’re trying to deter immigration by closing borders and by not providing safe ways for immigrants to apply for asylum, you’re increasing vulnerability, trafficking, dangers, and migrant death,” he said.
This warning is echoed in Colombia, where the number of Venezuelan migrants passing through the dangerous Darién jungle—a notorious migration route connecting Colombia and Panama—has surged. The Darién Gap, as it is known, is fraught with dangers, including natural hazards and criminal groups that prey on vulnerable migrants. Colombian senator Angélica Lozano from the Green Party described the situation as a “humanitarian alert,” underscoring the dire conditions faced by those making the journey.
The Role of Criminal Networks in Exploiting Migrants
As Venezuelan migrants continue to flee their country, they increasingly fall prey to organized criminal groups operating across Latin America. The AP highlighted the activities of Venezuela’s largest gang, the Tren de Aragua, which has extended its reach into several neighboring countries, including Chile. This criminal network has been implicated in a range of illicit activities, from human trafficking to drug smuggling, often targeting vulnerable migrants desperate to escape poverty and violence.
The impact of these criminal networks has been particularly severe in Chile, where the arrival of the Tren de Aragua has transformed the country’s crime landscape. As AP reported, the presence of these organized crime groups has contributed to a dramatic rise in violent crime, including homicides, extortion, and kidnappings. In response, Chilean President Gabriel Boric has been forced to take a tougher stance on immigration, increasing security spending and implementing stricter measures to control the influx of migrants.
“The public perception of Venezuelan migration here has worsened in the last years, especially as we have seen an increase in violent crime,” Juan Pablo Ramaciotti, executive director of the Migration Policy Center, a Santiago-based think tank, told AP. This shift in public opinion is reflected in recent polls, which show a significant increase in Chileans who view immigration as detrimental to the country. According to a Cadem survey cited by AP, 61% of Chileans opposed the prospect of granting asylum to Venezuelans in the wake of Maduro’s re-election.
The rise in xenophobia and the tightening of immigration policies in countries like Chile have created a hostile environment for Venezuelan migrants, many of whom are now facing increasing challenges in finding safety and stability. This situation is exacerbated by the perception that the recent arrivals are not integrating into society, leading to further social tensions and the marginalization of migrant communities.
Regional Solutions and the Way Forward
As the situation in Venezuela continues to deteriorate, the challenges facing neighboring countries are likely to intensify. The AP reported that in Chile, where migration has become a hot-button issue ahead of next year’s presidential election, lawmakers are debating various proposals to address the crisis. These include the introduction of mandatory quotas to distribute asylum seekers across Latin America—a solution reminiscent of the European Union’s response to the 2015 migration crisis.
Another proposal being considered by Chilean lawmakers is the imposition of prison sentences for illegal migrant entries. This controversial measure has sparked heated debates, with opponents arguing that it would criminalize vulnerable families fleeing persecution and economic hardship. “There are families who are going to escape from Venezuela. Will we put them in jail?” asked Manuel Monsalve Benavides, Chile’s undersecretary of the interior, in comments to AP.
While Chile grapples with managing the influx of migrants, Colombia has taken a more accommodating approach. Over the past several years, Colombia has granted temporary protected status to nearly 2 million Venezuelans, allowing them to live, work, and access essential services. However, as AP reported, this generous policy is now under review, with questions arising about whether it will be extended beyond November 2023, the deadline for Venezuelans to apply for the permit.
Ronal Rodríguez, a researcher at the Migration Observatory at Rosario University in Bogotá, told AP that Colombia’s capacity to continue supporting Venezuelan migrants is increasingly strained. “We don’t have the regional resources to handle the migration from Venezuela,” he warned, adding that the national government no longer prioritizes migration issues. If the protected status program is not extended, many Venezuelans could find themselves in legal limbo, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.
As the crisis deepens, it is becoming clear that the region’s response to Venezuelan migration will require a coordinated effort involving not just individual countries but the entire Latin American community. Addressing the root causes of migration, including political instability and economic collapse in Venezuela, will be essential to stemming the flow of migrants. In the meantime, providing safe and legal pathways for asylum seekers, improving border security, and enhancing regional cooperation will be critical to managing the challenges ahead.
Also read: Venezuela’s Judiciary: A Tool for Authoritarian Control
The situation is fluid, and as AP reported, many Venezuelans are already making plans to leave their country, joining the millions who have fled over the past decade. The decisions made by regional leaders in the coming months will have far-reaching consequences, not only for the migrants themselves but for the stability and security of the entire region. As Latin America braces for the next chapter in the Venezuelan migration crisis, the world will watch closely to see how the region responds.
