Regional Spillovers from the Venezuelan Crisis

Abstract

6.81 million Venezuelans were living abroad according to the r4v.info website. 13 Refugee and migrants have distinct and different meanings. Refugees are defined and protected in international law (for example, 1951 UN Convention on Refugees). On the other hand, and according to UNHCR, migrants choose to move not because of a direct threat of persecution or death, but mainly to improve their lives by finding work, or in some cases for education, family reunion, or other reasons. Unlike refugees who cannot safely return home, migrants face no such impediment to return. Nevertheless, the framework presented in this paper is useful to understand the economic implications of large human mobility episodes. 14 This total includes about 350,000 returning Colombians who had moved to Venezuela decades ago.

Impact of COVID-19 on healthcare utilization, cases, and deaths of citizens and displaced Venezuelans in Colombia: Complementary comprehensive and safety-net systems under Colombia’s constitutional commitment

“…Integration is likely to be less expensive and more sustainable over the long run than creating separate humanitarian systems. However, the short run costs can be appreciable, estimated at 0.5% of GDP in Colombia's case [8]. This integration would be facilitated by humanitarian donors assisting host governments with the costs of providing services to displaced populations.…”

“…The country's announced plan to allow most displaced Venezuelans to register to remain legally for 10 years should increase their integration in the future. As migrants are younger on average than their host counterparts and move between Colombia and Venezuela based on economic conditions, their skills and motivation could help grow the Colombian economy-not stealing jobs but building demand [8]. The Colombian government could expedite this process by training government workers and assisting non-government organizations to help identify those eligible and to assist their official registration.…”

“…In addition, citizens and officially registered foreigners are entitled to register forhealth insurance under the country's national health system. The International Monetary Fund estimated that investing in Venezuelan migrants' services could boost Colombia's gross domestic product (GDP) by up to 4.5% by 2030 [8]. Nevertheless, migrants' health needs often exceed the capacity of the existing health and social support systems [9].…”

Breaking the Heart's Borders: From “Dark Anthropology” to Dark Humor in the Telling of Migration

“…Of the over 7 million Venezuelans who have fled the country since 2015, about 6 million have settled in other Latin American countries (Arena et al., 2022). While anglophone media attention has rightly focused on US migration, I felt that not enough had been written about the bulk of Venezuelan migrants' experiences in Latin America.…”

“…Like so many who migrated to Colombia at that time, Canelones was unable to obtain any documented status or official work permission in that country. While she had plenty of documents, such as a university diploma, none of these were recognized in Colombia.Of the over 7 million Venezuelans who have fled the country since 2015, about 6 million have settled in other Latin American countries (Arena et al, 2022). While anglophone media attention has rightly focused on US migration, I felt that not enough had been written about the bulk of Venezuelan migrants' experiences in Latin America.…”