Migrant Entrepreneurs as Agents of Development? Geopolitical Context and Transmobility Strategies of Colombian Migrants Returning from Venezuela

Abstract

Returnee entrepreneurs are often represented in migration and development discourses as agents of development. This assumes that they acquire valuable socio-economic resources abroad which help them to create successful businesses upon return. However, we have scant knowledge of the impact of the geopolitical context on returnee entrepreneurs or their coping strategies. Latin American returnees in particular have received little attention and few studies focus on migrants with ‘South-to-South’ return trajectories. Emphasising the role of territorial conflicts and the agency of individuals, I use a feminist geopolitical perspective to address these gaps. I contribute to migration, mobility, and development studies by studying whether Colombian migrants returning from Venezuela can reintegrate as successful entrepreneurs. Further, I offer the concept of transmobilities to study the cross-border nature of strategies of reintegration. The 30 returnees studied have a trajectory of repeated forced mobilities, ranging from internal displacement in Colombia, subsequent emigration to Venezuela, and final deportation to Colombia by Venezuela’s government. I combine the qualitative methods of multi-sited ethnography, biographical interviews, mental maps, and participatory Minga workshops. The analysis shows that Colombian returnees face intense difficulties in reintegrating despite their strong motivation and entrepreneurial spirit. The geopolitical context of armed struggle, an absent Colombian state, and territorial conflicts between Colombia and Venezuela create an unfavourable environment for returnee entrepreneurs. Consequently, they develop transmobility strategies — including the movement of people, goods, and capital across national borders — at the risk of their own lives. The simplistic discourse of returnees as agents of development needs to be revised.

South‐to‐South parental migration patterns and excess weight among children: Insights from a national cross‐sectional study in Colombia

“…Results from this study are consistent with other studies reporting that the food insecurity situation in Colombia disproportionally impacts return migrants from Venezuela 25,31–33 . Colombian returnees from Venezuela experienced the economic collapse in Venezuela in the 2010s and the ongoing socio‐political crisis that has led to widespread food shortages and malnutrition 15,34 .…”

“…14,31 Results from this study are consistent with other studies reporting that the food insecurity situation in Colombia disproportionally impacts return migrants from Venezuela. 25,[31][32][33] Colombian returnees from Venezuela experienced the economic collapse in Venezuela in the 2010s and the ongoing socio-political crisis that has led to widespread food shortages and malnutrition. 15,34 These factors have been associated with a decreased prevalence of obesity at the national level in Venezuela from previous estimates before the socio-political crisis.…”

“…The tendency of return migrants with low education and large households to relocate to urban areas makes them vulnerable to food insecurity because the cost of food in urban centres is much higher, and spaces for cultivating crops for self-consumption are limited. [31][32][33]36 For these reasons, returnees spend at least half of their household income on food, a phenomenon that may persist in the first 5 years after returning to Colombia. 25,36 Because household food insecurity in Colombia is associated with underweight in children rather than increased risk for overweight and obesity (contrary to findings among U.S. children), 37,38 it is not surprising that children with return migrant parents in our study experienced less excess weight than children with non-migrant parents.…”

“…In 2015, many Colombians living in Venezuela returned to Colombia due to Venezuela's economic and social crisis. At the same time, a peace agreement negotiated between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia was in the works, enhancing Colombia's security conditions and motivating migrants to return 14,31 …”

“…Also, children with return migrant parents were more likely to live in households with extended families in urban areas and have parents who did not complete a high school education. The tendency of return migrants with low education and large households to relocate to urban areas makes them vulnerable to food insecurity because the cost of food in urban centres is much higher, and spaces for cultivating crops for self‐consumption are limited 31–33,36 . For these reasons, returnees spend at least half of their household income on food, a phenomenon that may persist in the first 5 years after returning to Colombia 25,36 .…”