In early February, Colombia announced it would provide legal status for all Venezuelans who had arrived in the country before January 31.
Thanks to Colombian President Ivan Duque’s initiative, all Venezuelans who arrived in the country before the end of January will receive temporary protection for 10 years which includes residency permits with the possibility of extension. This decision has a vital consequence for over a million Venezuelans currently living in Colombia. It will enable them to access basic services which they have thus far been unable to use such as healthcare and legal employment. The Venezuelans will also be included in the national Colombian COVID-19 vaccination scheme.
The United Nations estimates that around 5 million Venezuelans have fled their country of origin since 2014 when the economic crisis began. People escaped due to extreme poverty, hunger, unemployment, and the lack of basic services fueled by an unprecedented level of inflation which made it almost impossible to obtain food or medicines.
Colombia received the largest number of displaced Venezuelans out of all the countries in the region, offering shelter to an estimated 1.7 million people, of whom at least half do not have legal status and residency permits. Thus, the Associated Press estimates that around 1 million people will benefit from Duque’s decision.
This decision is particularly applauded in view of the fact that with a population of 49 million, Colombia itself is experiencing difficulties triggered by the economic crisis arising from the pandemic.
The majority of Venezuelans have also been forced to work in the informal sector which has made them especially vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
The decision was warmly welcomed by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. “This important act of solidarity will allow approximately a third of the 5 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the region to formally access services and contribute to the Colombian economy.”
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, also expressed appreciation for the gesture of goodwill by Colombia calling it a role model for humanity.
“It is a life-changing gesture for the 1.7 million displaced Venezuelans who will now benefit from added protection, security, and stability while they are away from home. We applaud Colombia for its extraordinary generosity and its commitment to ensure protection for displaced Venezuelans. This decision serves as a model of pragmatism and humanity”, he said.
Colombian President, Ivan Duque, said that giving immigrants legal status will also enable Colombia’s agencies to provide them with support and social services. Although Colombia has the largest number of Venezuelan refugees amongst other Latin American nations, the number dropped by over 2% last year as many people returned to Venezuela due to the economic shutdown in Colombia caused by COVID-19.
