Venezuela’s Deepening Crisis Triggers Mass Migration Into Colombia
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canada goose outlet toronto location There were more than half a million Venezuelans in Colombia as of December, according to the Colombian immigration department, and many came over in Canada Goose online the last two years. Their exodus rivals the number of Syrians in Germany or Rohingya in Bangladesh. Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group, a political risk consulting firm, calls it the world’s “least talked about” immigration crisis. canada goose outlet toronto location
canada goose outlet belgium But Colombians are taking notice. In fact, President Juan Manuel Santos is asking for international aid to cope with the large numbers of immigrants, many of whom are impoverished, hungry and desperate. canada goose outlet belgium
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canada goose outlet trillium parka black Earlier this month, Santos announced measures to tighten the border but the immediate result has been a spike in new arrivals as Venezuelans rush to cross the frontier before the new rules take hold. Families clog the bridge spanning uk canada goose outlet the Tchira River, the busiest border crossing between the two countries, as they Canada Goose Jackets push baby strollers, carry boxes and drag roller luggage into Colombia. canada goose outlet trillium parka black
canada goose jacket uk For many, their first stop comes a few feet inside Colombian territory, in the Norte de Santander region, where they unload their jewelry to dealers who purchase precious metals. At one shop, newcomers pull off their rings and unpin their brooches and necklaces. Workers use files and acids cheap canada goose uk to check cheap Canada Goose the purity of the metal. Then shop owner Jos Alvarado negotiates prices. canada goose jacket uk
canada goose outlet ontario He offers the equivalent of about $7 for a woman’s silver bracelet and $275 for a man’s gold ring, but he rejects canada goose uk black friday a watch for its dubious quality. A Venezuelan who fled his homeland two years ago, Alvarado says he understands what his compatriots are going through. He says the most heartbreaking case was a couple that sold their wedding rings after 40 years of marriage. canada goose outlet ontario
canada goose outlet ottawa “People cry a lot when they sell their jewelry. But they have no choice,” he says. canada goose outlet ottawa
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canada goose outlet store uk A few miles up the road, in the Colombian border city of Ccuta, a new business has sprung up to take advantage of the crisis. In the city plaza, hair dealers are canada goose uk shop looking for clients to sell them locks for making canada goose coats hair extensions. They wear signs around their necks stating, “we buy hair,” and shout out the same message. canada goose outlet store uk
canada goose outlet reviews Nearly all their customers are penniless Venezuelans, including Jefferson Mrquez. He arrived two days ago from the Venezuelan uk canada goose city of Mrida Canada Goose sale with the hair of his 14 year old cousin in a plastic bag. He canada goose store sells it for about $4, which he plans to send back to his family. canada goose outlet reviews
canada goose outlet kokemuksia Another potential vendor is Karelis Nieves. She worked at a supermarket in the Venezuelan city of Maracay but says the business collapsed after it was expropriated by the government. Nieves, 23, came to Colombia last month and is trying to scrounge up money to support her parents and 2 year old daughter back home. But the hair broker canada goose requires locks that are canada goose clearance at Canada Goose Outlet least a foot and a half long. After pulling out his measuring tape, he informs Nieves that her flowing brown hair is a few inches too short. canada goose outlet kokemuksia
canada goose outlet store new york There are canada goose uk outlet other ways to get by, including selling street food, working construction and busking. canada goose outlet store new york
canada goose discount uk Street musician Jess canada goose factory sale Garca says he fled to Colombia four months ago. Due to the collapse of Venezuela’s currency, his salary as a mechanic on an oil rig was no longer enough to feed his family of four. Masterly on the harp, Garca has teamed up with a Venezuelan guitarist and canada goose coats on sale the duo plays Venezuelan folk music, called llanero. The spare change people toss into their open guitar buy canada goose jacket case adds up to about $10 a day more than Garca made for a week’s work in Venezuela. canada goose discount uk
canada goose outlet england But others resort to prostitution or street crime to survive, says Carlos Luna, head of the Ccuta Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he points out that throngs of Colombians who moved to Venezuela during that country’s periodic oil booms or to escape from violence during Colombia’s long running guerrilla war are now returning. canada goose outlet england
canada goose parka outlet uk Luna says Ccuta must not open refugee centers because he says they would only attract more Venezuelan migrants and exacerbate the problem. However, churches and charities now run a few soup kitchens and shelters where migrants are allowed to stay for 48 hours until they move on to their next destination. canada goose parka outlet uk
canada goose outlet sale One of the kitchens near the border bridge serves 1,000 lunches per day, including today’s meal of chicken and spaghetti. Among the diners is Danny Mrquez, who arrived the day before. He used to run a thriving business selling cleaning supplies in Venezuela. But the economic crisis drove him bankrupt. He used to be solidly middle class and is clearly distraught at having to ask for food canada goose outlet sale.