Venezuelan Migrants in Denver
Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer
Many Venezuelan immigrants have found refuge in Denver, Colorado. Their journey has been dangerous and consists of train hopping, encounters with criminals, starvation, and dehydration. Starting their journey in Texas, many have come to Denver to try and find better resources and transportation to other states.
Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer
Many Venezuelan immigrants have found refuge in Denver, Colorado. Their journey has been dangerous and consists of train hopping, encounters with criminals, starvation, and dehydration. Starting their journey in Texas, many have come to Denver to try and find better resources and transportation to other states.
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, Venezuela has the world’s second-largest refugee crisis. During the first years of the mass leaving of Venezuelans from their home, they traveled to the neighboring countries. They are now seeking asylum in the United States.
Venezuela’s economy was dependent on the revenue made from oil. However, sudden declines in the price of oil have destabilized their economy. Due to their economy plummeting, there has been extreme political turmoil.
Venezuela’s leader, President Maduro, gained power through censorship, manipulation and repression. With his disastrous choices for their economy and corrupt presidency, he has introduced harsh restrictions on the media and increased extrajudicial killings.
Supposedly, there is a presidential election next year but many are skeptical that this election will be clean and fair. While a new president gives Venezuela the opportunity to rebuild, citizens face an uphill battle with Maduro in power. The human rights crisis and economic catastrophe in Venezuela have caused millions to seek a new home elsewhere.
Nonprofits in Denver are working to ensure the travels of Venezuelan migrants are safe. They connect with individual travelers to confirm they are making this journey by choice, using their own volition. They also ensure that migrants connect with their friends and family safely. Due to exploitation and sex trafficking, nonprofit organizations primarily connect with women and families. It is a very dangerous journey for all, but for women and children, it can mean death.
When many arrive here, they are without food, clothes, and other necessities. However, Colorado organizations are providing ways to help. Here are ways you can get involved in this mission to help the Venezuelan migrant community in Denver.
Donations can be monetary or through the following items: Men’s clothing, children's clothing, all sizes of shoes, winter gear, socks, and undergarments for all.
Donations can be made to organizations such as:
Colorado Hosting Asylum Network
The American Friends Service Committee
Richard T. Castro Human Services Center
Facebook groups that help migrants that you can join include:
Central Park and Park Hill Venezuelan Migrant Support Group
World Wednesday: Violence in Venezuela
Due to food shortage, many Venezuelans are migrating to Columbia. Immigration services in Colombia report that there are roughly 200,000 Venezuelans currently inside the country. Venezuelan citizens have not received help from the government and cannot get documentation or sustainable jobs.
Marley Weaver-Gabel, Editor in Chief
In the past months, violence has spread through Venezuela. Violence is a daily occurrence in the wake of an instable government and a failing economy. Current Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro is attempting to rewrite the constitution and many fear he is seeking a dictatorship. The Supreme Court and the National Assembly are at odds with each other, dividing the country. The Supreme Court chose to side with Maduro and even went so far as to declare decisions made by the National Assembly to be null. This aggressive opposition incited violence, which has continued throughout the streets of Venezuela.
Not only has the oppression of the opposition that sparks violence, so has the general state of the country’s economy. The inflation rate has skyrocketed and the economy is unstable at best. Venezuela relies on oil as their primary marketable good. Since 2014, the oil prices have been falling, plunging the country into a serious debt. Furthermore, The government is no longer able to pay their subsidies or fund necessary public programs. In particular, the health care system has been hit particularly hard and many people no longer have access to the health care they need.
Along with lack of cash to pay subsidies and fund programs, the government cannot import as many goods as they could before, spiraling the country into a food shortage. When it stopped becoming profitable for Venezuelans to produce their own food, the government started importing. However, deep in economic crisis, the imports are harder to come by and food is more and more expensive.
Due to food shortage, many Venezuelans are migrating to Columbia. Immigration services in Colombia report that there are roughly 200,000 Venezuelans currently inside the country. Venezuelan citizens have not received help from the government and cannot get documentation or sustainable jobs. While their living condition in Colombia is vastly improved from Venezuela, they still do not have many opportunities. Venezuelans are thankful for a place to migrate to, but with the rapid influx, Colombia is having difficulty accommodating and funding so many additional civilians. The political and economic instability in Venezuela has leached across the border and this crisis no longer belongs solely to Venezuela.
Photo Courtesy of AlJazeera