By: Daniel Nardini

Here is a sad fact—the number of Venezuelans who have fled their country over the past four years now numbers 2.6 million. In a country that has 31 million people this can only be characterized as a disaster and a true refugee crisis. This is the number of Venezuelans who managed to escape their country. This does not include those who may be displaced in Venezuela. The refugees encompass all sectors of Venezuelan society—the very poor, foreign-born, indigenous people, and those who used to be middle class but who were dispossessed of their wealth by the socialist government in Venezuela. For those countries surrounding Venezuela, this whole thing has become a humanitarian crisis. Brazil, Colombia and Guyana are being overwhelmed by the number of Venezuelans who are fleeing their country. Many state governments in Colombia and Brazil are calling for help from their central governments to deal with this disaster. These state governments know that the Venezuelan government does not care, and its socialist policies have created the very refugee crisis that is occurring.

However, the Brazilian and Colombian governments seem reluctant to do much about helping the Venezuelans. In fact, the Colombian government has tightened border security because it is trying to prevent a greater flood of Venezuelans. One of the requirements that the Colombian government is now making is for Venezuelans to get passports before they flee. This is all nice and good, but one of the biggest problems Venezuela has now is a shortage of paper. Because of the paper shortage, most Venezuelans cannot even apply to get a passport. Worse, the Venezuelan government has applied all kinds of restrictions to even get a passport, and so Venezuelans flee the country any way they can. Many Venezuelans try to stay within the border areas so they can stay in contact with what families they have still in Venezuela. If they can find work in Colombia and Brazil, then they can send money and even food to their families still in Venezuela. Many Venezuelans hope that the government will change so they can return to their country, and hence why so many stay near the border areas. Many other Venezuelans are seeking refuge in any and every South American country that will take them. At least if they can find work they can make money and help their families still in Venezuela that way. But the only way that the situation will change is if and when the socialist government of Venezuela is no longer in power. Until then many Venezuelans will continue to flee, and those who have fled lead a precarious life just trying to live.