Caracas Chronicles

Far from stopping, Venezuelan migration continues to transform. Until last year, the main destinations chosen by Venezuelans were the United States, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Ecuador. New immigration restrictions, especially those imposed by the U.S. that directly impact some countries in the region, have forced many Venezuelans to rethink their routes.

In 2025, migratory flow patterns will be reconfigured, opening the way to new destinations such as Spain and Brazil, while Colombia continues to be a key reception point for national citizens of Venezuela.

Most Venezuelans who emigrate do so due to multiple factors concerning the country’s complex humanitarian crisis. The Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) states that the main causes of migration are: economic and social crisis, violence, political persecution and violation of human rights, as well as the collapse of health and education services.

“The Venezuelan population abroad isn’t made up of migrants. They are people in need of international protection,” says Ligia Bolívar, a migration researcher at the Human Rights Center in Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB).

Over the last few years, much more restrictive measures were implemented to discourage and stop migratory flows, and most countries in the region now require visas for Venezuelan citizens.

Bolívar details that Venezuelan migrants aren’t necessarily voluntary migrants, who have the opportunity to organize their savings, carry the right documents and a detailed migration plan which includes a passport to guarantee safe transportation by air or sea: “Venezuelan migrants leave on foot, evading checkpoints because they do not have a passport —because it is the most expensive in the region. They are often persecuted”.

An survey study by Poder y Economía published in January argues that 18% of Venezuelans intend to migrate; a figure that grows to 40% when young people between 18 and 30 years of age are asked, explains sociologist Ricardo Ríos, president of the consultancy firm. The study was made with a sample of 1,040 people from Caracas, Valencia, Maracaibo, Barquisimeto, Puerto La Cruz-Barcelona, ​​San Cristóbal, Barinas and Ciudad Guayana.

In addition, 6% of those consulted said they were very determined to migrate; 11% expressed the desire to leave, but without clear plans; 23% stated that they had no other options than to stay in Venezuela; 16% said they had no desire to emigrate, and 44% said they would “definitely” stay in the country.

Change of destinations

The changes in immigration policies taken by President Donald Trump, and funds freeze through USAID, which impacts migration programs and NGOs in Latin American and Caribbean countries, have made Venezuelans rethink where to migrate.

Many continue to wonder: “Where can I go, where I can be calm and not afraid,” says a 28-year-old journalist studying options to leave her native country.

According to the poll, until September 2024, many of those who expressed plans to flee Venezuela had the United States in mind as a destination (27%); However, this percentage dropped to 11% in January, while Spain took first place in preference with 26%.

Alberto Uribe, a 33-year-old, renewed his passport to go to Spain to look for a job that would give him a better salary. Seven years ago he moved from Caracas to Cúcuta,  “but in Colombia, there is no longer enough money to pay rent, food and live well,” he told La Hora de Venezuela.

He will arrive in Tenerife, to the home of relatives who have been there for about five years, and says he is willing to accept any job that allows him to send remittances to his two young children, whom he left in Cúcuta to “save some money.”

In Latin America, Brazil is emerging as an option for migrants due to the benefits and assistance it provides to Venezuelans through the “Operation Welcome” program.

Last year alone, Brazil granted refugee status to 12,726 Venezuelans, representing 95% of all approved applications in the country. In total, this country has recognized 141,000 Venezuelans as refugees, being the nation that has approved the most refugee applications for citizens of Venezuela. These conditions encouraged 16% of those consulted by Poder y Economía to name Brazil as a potential destination to seek better life opportunities.

Some 13% of those interviewed in January said they would move to Colombia. Others have put their eye on Chile and Argentina. A few months ago, the latter relaxed entry and settlement conditions for Venezuelan migrants with expired passports or identification cards for up to 10 years. It also authorizes children under nine to arrive only with their birth certificate. Chile, on the other hand, requests a long list of requirements, including a visa.

The UCAB Human Rights Center warns that in migration crises like Venezuela’s, “in precarious conditions, the risks are very high, and people have to be careful not to fall into the hands of people who make (migration) a business and end up harming their lives.”

The Center also recommends getting information about the chosen destination, since it is necessary to remember that irregular migration exposes Venezuelans to risks of labor exploitation, human trafficking, and gender violence in transit and destination countries.

According to data from the Interagency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants (R4V), updated as of December 3, 2024, there were more than 7.89 million Venezuelan migrants in the world, who left their country in search of protection and better living conditions. Approximately 6.7 million live in Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Many Venezuelan migrants may not be officially registered in host countries, which may mean that the actual figures are higher.