Why Colombia has taken in 1 million Venezuelans

Summary

Venezuela's economic collapse has led to a mass exodus, with millions fleeing to neighboring Colombia. The border town of Cucuta has become a haven for these refugees, who often arrive with only their suitcases and the clothes on their backs. Amidst hyperinflation rendering the Bolivar worthless, some have resorted to crafting purses and sculptures from the currency. Colombia, in stark contrast to other nations, has opted to welcome the migrants, providing them with temporary residence, healthcare, work, and study opportunities. This open-door policy is seen as a form of reciprocity for the support Venezuela offered to Colombian refugees during the FARC conflict. However, the increasing crime rate involving Venezuelans has sparked skepticism, threatening the solidarity between the two nations.

Takeaways

• 🚨 Millions of Venezuelans have fled their country due to a severe economic and political crisis.
• 🌎 The border town of Cucuta in Colombia has become a major entry point for Venezuelan migrants.
• 🧳 Venezuelans are leaving with all their belongings, as they are uncertain about their future destinations.
• 💵 Hyperinflation in Venezuela has rendered the national currency, the Bolivar, nearly worthless.
• 🎨 Venezuelans are repurposing their devalued currency into commodities like purses and sculptures.
• 📈 Venezuela's inflation rate is projected to reach one million percent, exacerbating the economic crisis.
• 🏠 Colombia has welcomed over a million Venezuelans, more than any other country, despite its own humanitarian needs.
• 🛃 Colombia has chosen not to impose strict border controls, allowing migrants to enter relatively easily.
• 🏥 The Colombian government provides services like healthcare, work permits, and education to Venezuelan migrants.
• 🏡 Colombian citizens are also offering support by housing migrants in their homes for free.
• 🤝 There is a historical connection between Colombia and Venezuela, with a sense of reciprocating past hospitality.
• ⚖️ Despite solidarity, there are concerns about crime and skepticism towards Venezuelan migrants in Colombia.

Q & A

What is the current crisis in Venezuela causing millions of people to flee?

The crisis in Venezuela is due to economic collapse, with hyperinflation rendering the currency worthless and leading to a humanitarian crisis, prompting millions to flee the country.

How has the Venezuelan currency, the Bolivar, been impacted by the crisis?

The Bolivar has become so devalued due to hyperinflation that it is now considered worthless, to the extent that it is being used to make purses and sculptures.

What is the estimated inflation rate in Venezuela?

The inflation rate in Venezuela is projected to rise to one million percent.

How many Venezuelans have moved to Colombia in recent years?

More than a million Venezuelans have moved to Colombia in recent years, making it the country with the highest number of Venezuelan migrants.

What is Colombia's response to the influx of Venezuelan migrants?

Despite the challenges, Colombia has been opening its borders and providing humanitarian assistance, including temporary residency, healthcare, work, and study opportunities for the migrants.

Why are some Venezuelan women selling their hair upon entering Colombia?

Women sell their hair as a means to make money to continue their journey, with the hair fetching around 100,000 Colombian pesos, equivalent to about 30 US dollars.

What economic situation in Venezuela is making it difficult for people to afford basic goods like a hot dog?

The economic situation in Venezuela is so dire that 87% of households are in poverty, making it nearly impossible for many to afford even basic food items.

How has the economic mismanagement by Nicolas Maduro contributed to Venezuela's crisis?

Nicolas Maduro's economic mismanagement has driven the country into an economic disaster worse than the Great Depression and the fall of the Soviet Union, leading to the current crisis.

What historical connection exists between Colombia and Venezuela that influences Colombia's current response to Venezuelan migrants?

Colombia and Venezuela were once part of the same country, Gran Colombia, and during Colombia's conflict with the FARC in the 80's and 90's, Venezuela took in hundreds of thousands of Colombian refugees, which is influencing Colombia's current hospitality towards Venezuelan migrants.

What challenges might threaten the solidarity between Colombia and Venezuelan migrants?

A rise in crime allegedly committed by Venezuelan migrants has led to skepticism and potential threats to the solidarity between Colombia and Venezuelan migrants.

How does the Colombian government provide support to Venezuelan migrants in refugee camps?

The Colombian government provides various services in refugee camps, including haircuts, manicures, and temporary residency, allowing them to live, work, and study in the country for two years.

Outlines

00:00

📉 Venezuela's Economic Collapse and Colombian Response

Venezuela is experiencing a severe economic crisis, leading to millions of people fleeing the country. Many of these refugees are crossing the border into Colombia, particularly through the town of Cucuta. The crisis is so dire that Venezuelan currency, the Bolivares, has become worthless, with some even using it to make purses and sculptures. The country's inflation rate is projected to reach one million percent. Colombia, despite its own economic challenges, is taking a compassionate approach by opening its borders to Venezuelans, providing them with temporary residency, healthcare, work, and study opportunities for two years. This is a significant contrast to other countries in the region that have implemented measures to restrict migrant influx. The Colombian government's response is also supported by the Colombian people, some of whom are hosting Venezuelan migrants in their homes for free, reflecting a historical connection and a sense of reciprocity for past support during Colombia's times of need.

05:17

🤝 Historical Ties and Current Solidarity Between Colombia and Venezuela

The historical ties between Colombia and Venezuela are highlighted, as the two nations were once part of Gran Colombia in the 1800s. This shared history is significant as it influences the current solidarity between the two countries. During Colombia's civil war with the FARC in the 80s and 90s, hundreds of thousands of Colombians found refuge in Venezuela, which was economically prosperous at the time. Now, as Venezuela faces its own crisis, Colombia is reciprocating the hospitality it once received. Despite recent crimes allegedly committed by Venezuelan migrants causing skepticism, the overall support for Venezuelans in Colombia remains strong. This is evident in the border town's message of unity and the continued acceptance of migrants, reflecting a deep-rooted sense of shared identity and mutual assistance.

Keywords

💡Crisis

A crisis is a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger. In the video, the crisis refers to the political and economic collapse in Venezuela, which has led to millions of people fleeing the country. The script mentions the crumbling state of Venezuela and the humanitarian crisis at the border, illustrating the severity of the situation.

💡Inflation

Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, and subsequently, the purchasing power of currency is falling. The video script uses the example of the Venezuelan Bolivares, where inflation is so high that the currency has become worthless, to the point where it is used to make purses, highlighting the extreme economic distress.

💡Migration

Migration is the movement of people from one place to another, often over long distances or in large numbers, to find better social or economic conditions. The video discusses the record-setting migration from Venezuela to Colombia, with over a million Venezuelans moving to escape the crisis, emphasizing the scale of the displacement.

💡Humanitarian Crisis

A humanitarian crisis is a specific event or series of events that are threatening the health, safety, or well-being of a large number of people. The script describes the situation at the border town of Cucuta as a humanitarian crisis, with people fleeing with their belongings and uncertain futures, showcasing the urgent need for assistance.

💡Economic Mismanagement

Economic mismanagement refers to the poor handling of a country's economic policies and resources, leading to negative outcomes such as recession or collapse. The video attributes the collapse of Venezuela to the economic mismanagement by its leader, Nicolas Maduro, drawing a parallel to historical economic disasters.

💡Refugee Camp

A refugee camp is a temporary residence set up for people who have been forced to leave their homes quickly to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster. The script mentions a refugee camp in Colombia where the government provides services to the migrants, indicating the efforts to accommodate and support those displaced by the crisis.

💡Solidarity

Solidarity is the state of being united in purpose and action, often in support of a common cause. The video highlights the solidarity between Colombia and Venezuela, with Colombians opening their doors to Venezuelan migrants, reflecting a historical bond and a sense of reciprocity for past support during Colombia's times of need.

💡Gran Colombia

Gran Colombia refers to a historical country in northern South America that existed from 1819 to 1830, comprising territories now belonging to Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. The script mentions Gran Colombia to explain the historical connection and shared identity between the two countries, which influences the current support for Venezuelan migrants.

💡FARC

FARC, or the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, is a guerrilla group involved in the Colombian conflict. The video script refers to the violence and displacement caused by the decades-long war with FARC, which led to Venezuelans providing refuge to Colombians, setting a precedent for the current mutual aid.

💡Skepticism

Skepticism is a doubting attitude, or a state of uncertainty or disbelief. The video acknowledges the growing skepticism in Colombia towards Venezuelan migrants due to crimes allegedly committed by them, which challenges the solidarity and openness that has been the country's response to the crisis.

💡Border Control

Border control is the process by which a country regulates the entry and exit of people across its borders. The script contrasts Colombia's relatively open border policy with the measures other countries have implemented to restrict migrants, highlighting Colombia's unique approach amidst a regional trend of heightened border security.

Highlights

Millions of people have fled Venezuela due to the country's collapse, with many seeking refuge in Colombia.

The border town of Cucuta in Colombia is overwhelmed with Venezuelans carrying all their belongings.

Venezuelan Bolivares are so worthless due to hyperinflation that they are used to make purses and sculptures.

Venezuela's inflation rate is projected to reach one million percent.

Over a million Venezuelans have moved to Colombia in recent years, more than any other country.

Despite the challenges, Colombia is opening its borders to Venezuelan migrants, unlike other countries in the region.

The border crisis is described as a real humanitarian crisis with an economic situation worse than the Great Depression.

Venezuelan women sell their hair for about 30 dollars to continue their journey in Colombia.

87% of Venezuelan households are in poverty due to the economic collapse.

The economic disaster in Venezuela is a result of economic mismanagement by leader Nicolas Maduro.

Colombia, despite its own humanitarian needs, continues to provide support to Venezuelan migrants.

The Colombian government offers services and temporary residency to Venezuelan migrants.

Colombians are welcoming Venezuelans, reflecting a historical sense of solidarity and past hospitality.

In the 1800s, Colombia and Venezuela were part of the same country, Gran Colombia.

During Colombia's conflict with the FARC, hundreds of thousands of Colombians were welcomed by Venezuela.

The current Colombian response is seen as a way of repaying past hospitality shown by Venezuela.

Despite some skepticism due to crimes, many Venezuelans still find support in Colombia.

Colombia's open-door policy stands in contrast to the growing skepticism and border closures in other countries.

Transcripts

There is a crisis here.

Millions of people have fled Venezuela as the country crumbles.

Many of them are coming over this border into Colombia.

Here is this border town of Cucuta, you see people with suitcases full of all their belongings.

They don’t know where they’re going.

They just know they need to get out of their country.

If you need proof of how bad it is in Venezuela right now, look at this purse.

This purse is made entirely of the bills of the Venezuelan currency, the Bolivares.

Inflation is so high that this money is now completely worthless.

So my friend Jorge over here has gathered a ton of this stuff

and turned it into commodities, into purses, into sculptures.

It is worse than it sounds and it sounds pretty bad.

The country’s inflation rate will rise to one million percent.

More than a million Venezuelans moved to Colombia in recent years.

And in an era of record setting migration, when borders seem to be getting thicker, harder to cross.

Colombia is doing something that you don’t see very often.

It’s opening its doors and it’s letting people in.

The border crisis is shocking.

It’s a real humanitarian crisis.

The economic crisis there is about to get even worse.

Is there a point where Colombia and other countries in Latin America

step in and say enough is enough now?

This border town of Cucuta is now totally bustling.

This is the very end of the border.

Where these people are entering.

And the one thing that you’ll hear that is a little interesting is...

“Compra cabello,” we buy hair.

To continue on their way to make some money, the women will sell their hair.

You basically get 100,000 pesos, which is like 30 dollars.

I’m eating a Venezuelan styled hot dog

and the guys are reflecting on how much this hot dog would cost

if they were trying to buy it in Venezuela with the current economic situation

87% of the country’s households into poverty.

Images that we’ve never seen in Latin America before is unfortunately something we’re seeing now.

The collapse of Venezuela didn’t happen because of a civil war or a natural disaster,

but rather the colossal economic mismanagement by the country’s leader, Nicolas Maduro.

In just a few years, Maduro grabbed control of most of the government

and then drove the country into an economic disaster worse than the Great Depression and

the fall of the Soviet Union.

Of the two million people who have left Venezuela in the midst of this crisis

about one million have come to Colombia, easily more than any other country.

The response by most countries in the region has been to put up new measures to stop migrants

from flooding into their country.

But not Colombia, here the borders stays relatively easy to cross.

And even though Colombia already has millions of its own people in need of humanitarian assistance,

the Colombian people and politicians continue to let these migrants in.

So I have decided that we’re not going to close the border.

We have to give them support.

Now we’re in the refugee camp, is what they’re calling it.

Here the government provides all sorts of services to these people.

Haircuts and manicures.

Today in the camp, they’re playing music.

Some Colombian, some Venezuelan and everyone, locals, migrants

start singing and clapping along.

The Colombian government has given most of these migrants status,

allowing them to live in the country, get healthcare, work and study for two years.

But it’s not just the Colombia government opening its doors.

In a neighborhood by the border, people starting taking migrants into their homes,

indefinitely and for free.

And to understand why these people are opening up their doors to Venezuelans,

you have to understand their past.

If you go back to the 1800’s, Colombia and Venezuela were actually a part of the same

country called Gran Colombia.

This country actually broke up into the modern states we know today.

Decades later, in the 80’s and 90’s, Colombia was experiencing

some of its worst violence in its decades long war with a rebel group called the FARC.

This war displaced more than seven million people,

more than any other modern war.

Hundreds of thousands of those people fled to Venezuela, where the economy was thriving

And the Venezuelans took them in.

So in a sense, this the Colombians way of paying back Venezuelans for the hospitality

they were given.

Here at the border, you go down the street a little bit, and you see this sign that says

welcome to Colombia.

Above it, it says, “ Colombia and Venezuela, united forever."

It’s part of these two countries being different, having very different governments.

There is this common identity among the people.

But there are reasons to believe this sense of solidarity might not last forever.

A slew of crimes, allegedly committed by Venezuelans, have led to a new wave of skepticism in the country.

Earlier this year, the police chief in this border town told people

that they shouldn’t rent their properties to Venezuelans after a migrant was arrested for a homicide.

But despite the growing skepticism, many Venezuelans continue

to see tremendous support in Colombia,

a country that has chosen to keep its doors open to the thousands of migrants who come in everyday.