Rise in Xenophobia Towards Venezuelans in Latin America

Venezuelans have been experiencing significant challenges due to the ongoing repression and prolonged humanitarian crisis. The country’s poor economic conditions and inability to access necessities have forced many to flee, resulting in one of the largest migration crises in the world. 

A deep economic crisis due to damaging policies and a kleptocracy has resulted in various serious issues, such as democratic breakdown, repression, and poor public services. As a result, many have migrated to neighbouring countries, such as Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, since 2014. According to the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela R4V, as of May 2024, there are 6,590,671 Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the highest number in Colombia. 

After a decade of mass migration, countries that once welcomed Venezuelans are changing their stance. Host countries are hardening their policies on incoming migrants and refugees from Venezuela, and public opinion is shifting, resulting in rising cases of xenophobia towards Venezuelans. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR, xenophobia implies ”discrimination based on the perception of the other as foreign or originating from outside a community or a nation”. 

Initially, most receiving countries had measures that allowed Venezuelans to obtain legal status, which allowed them to work and access necessary services such as education and healthcare. Peru had introduced open-door policies with a temporary residency programme known as PTP, which allowed Venezuelans to have an initial two-year stay and access to other social services. 

After the surge in 2018, neighbouring countries' governments have taken various measures, such as toughening immigration policies to limit the entry of migrants and refugees into their countries. Argentina and Chile have hardened their immigration policies to limit the entry of migrants and refugees. Previously, Venezuelans would enter Chile on a tourist visa and later apply for a temporary visa. However, Chile ended this practice because visas were only available from the Chilean consulate. Additionally, a lack of information, documents, and passports, along with the cost of visas and understaffed consulates, resulted in increased visa rejection rates, with fewer Venezuelan applicants getting the visa. Peru also issued new strict requirements where they must present additional documents with their valid passport, making it more difficult for Venezuelans to apply for PTP and get refugee status.

A report by Refugee International, an independent humanitarian organisation, highlights the changes in the Colombian government’s response to Venezuelan displacement under the new President Gustavo Petro. A new “policy of silence” has impacted the economic inclusion of Venezuelans in Colombia and the efforts across government and non-government agencies working to ensure the integration of Venezuelans into the Colombian economy and society. While they have maintained the regularisation process, it is difficult for Venezuelans to find jobs in the formal sector. Many have to rely on informal employment, where they face exploitation and abuse. 

The coordination mechanism known as the “Gerencia the Fronteras” (Management of Borders), adopted by the government responsible for the Venezuelan response, was dismissed. Under this mechanism, the Colombian government created a plan for economic inclusion, called “the Income Generation Strategy”, as well as development plans and policies that ensured the socio-economic integration of Venezuelans in Colombia. The dissolution of the Gerencia has resulted in a lack of coordination between ministries, thereby impacting programs and policies promoting the economic inclusion of Venezuelans. 

The government has shifted the narrative regarding Venezuelans. From acknowledging their presence and taking initiatives to integrate them, it has now shifted to minimising their place in Colombia. President Petro, as a result of the policy of silence, has not addressed the topic of Venezuelans. 

There is also a shift in general public opinion towards Venezuelan migrants and refugees. Instances have highlighted where Venezuelans are discriminated against, abused, and exploited because of their Venezuelan identity. Ronald Rodriguez, researcher and spokesperson for the Venezuela Observatory, said “Xenophobia is beginning to grow in Colombia and it is going at a very high speed”. He further mentions that Venezuelans are blamed for all manner of crimes and other social problems by Colombians. Additionally, during the pandemic, Venezuelans were largely blamed for the widespread of COVID-19. Former President of Colombia, Ivan Duque, had announced that undocumented migrants would not receive vaccination. Various refugee agencies raised their concerns as this could result in more widespread infection.   

Venezuelans are facing a rise in xenophobia in other Latin American countries as well. Aldana, a single mother, shared her experience of losing her job in Ecuador as her employer was criticised for hiring Venezuelans. People would shout at her, “Go back to your country! What are you doing here?” 

Local concerns are on the rise as Venezuelans are perceived as taking their jobs, intensifying competition and exacerbating job scarcity. Many migrants have to depend on informal jobs, which impacts the real wages for locals working in the informal sector. They also blame them for the rise in crimes in the region. During the 2019 Chilean protests, the Venezuelans were blamed by the government for the ongoing violent protest. In Peru, leaflets were circulated demanding migrants leave the country, and local media was also blamed for inciting xenophobia. 

Venezuelan women migrants face a twofold lack of protection because of their gender and nationality. They are often denied justice and medical attention after experiencing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Additionally, they are also vulnerable as they cannot access basic services such as education, employment, housing, and healthcare.

Due to the lack of opportunity for economic inclusion, access to basic services, and the rise in xenophobia, there has been a rise in double migration by Venezuelans. There is a shift in migration patterns as Venezuelans are migrating for the second time, often aiming to reach the United States via the Darien Gap. A dangerous route as migrants are exposed to multiple human rights violations, with no guarantee that they will have access to basic services in the United States.

Image Credits: Luis Acosta/AFP via Getty Images | Edited by GorStra Team