Venezuelan Refugees Join Colombia’s Workforce
Venezuelan refugees are making significant economic contributions throughout South America, reports the International Monetary Fund (IMF), especially in Colombia. With a younger average age and higher education level than their hosts, Venezuelan migrants will boost Colombia’s GDP by as much as 0.3% by 2030.
“We coffee growers are thanking god for the migrants,” says Mr. Gamboa, a coffee producer who relies on Venezuelan refugees for cheap labor. Migrants are also picking potatoes in the Andes Mountains, a back-breaking task.
Venezuelan migrants have been so helpful that Colombian President Ivan Duque this month decided to give all of them legal status. With the proper paperwork, they will have access to schooling, healthcare, vaccines, and other benefits. “This marks a milestone in immigration policy for Colombia and for Latin America,” said Duque. “We hope that other countries follow our example.”
This is all well and good for Colombia, but what about the Venezuelans?
John Cases, 28, is a former engineering student who once dreamed of working for Venezuela’s state oil company, PDVSA. Now, he earns his living picking coffee beans in Colombia. “I never imagined I’d be doing this,” said John.
John is among millions of people whose livelihoods were destroyed by the economic collapse in Venezuela. The crash, which resulted from years of Socialist policies, produced hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages, and mass unemployment. More than 5 million people have fled Venezuela since 2015, and that number will reach 10 million by 2023. An estimated 1.8 million are currently living in neighboring Colombia, most of them without papers.
Author’s Note: Venezuela used to be one of the richest countries in South America and it still has more oil reserves than any country in the world. This is incredibly sad.
Argentina was once the third richest nation on earth, then Juan Peron took power.
“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” – Origin Unknown –
This is not slave labor? Venezuelan lives matter. Someone, not the people, had the cash for these embedded treasures of coffee, oil and drugs. The beat goes on. Why must it be cheap labor when coffee is a very, very enterprising commodity. The answer is, socialism. We are becoming the USSA. my life has been such an eye opening experience watching a beautiful nation slowly turn into darkness and selfishness. Couldn’t keep Gods laws so surely would be no keeping or respect for mans laws. Help us Lord to regain our morals and loyalty with forgiveness. In your awesome name!
Briefly, under the Trump Administration, the U.S. became energy independent. Now the new administration is making moves to eliminate that independence. If we are going to have to get oil from another country, perhaps it should be Venezuela. Their government is not working for them, so maybe we should offer them Statehood into the United States, take over, use their oil, and teach their people how to govern themselves, under the guidance of our Federal government. If it works, then we could try the same thing with other South and Central American nations, especially those being run by corrupt governments. Eventually, we could have the United Americas, and become the powerhouse that produces and controls most of the food in the world.
We will have THAT here soon….BUT….WHERE will Americans MIGRATE to…?????
Stand bye America is on the same track
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