As the conflict in Venezuela keeps evolving and the Maduro regime ramps up its repression, several countries are preparing for one possible outcome of the crisis: mass exodus. And Colombia, which is home to over 2.8 million Venezuelans is one of the places that figures to affected the most.
Colombian authorities near the Venezuela border expressed concern to the national government about this scenario in a joint news conference, warning that the situation could become "catastrophic" if not adequately prepared for, as reported by Venezuelan news site Efecto Cocuyo.
Jairo Aguilar Deluque, governor of La Guajira, a department bordering Venezuela's Zulia state, stressed the urgency to Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo during a meeting in Riohacha, the regional capital:
"If we don't prepare now, if we don't have budgetary conditions, the situation is going to be catastrophic"
Aguilar stressed that La Guajira, with a population of 1.2 million, already hosts approximately 300,000 Venezuelan migrants. He emphasized that the department's resources are strained and could be overwhelmed by another wave of migrants. "We've tried to manage these difficulties with our capacities, with the tough conditions of this department", Aguilar said.
Mayors of border cities also supported the governor's claim.
Genaro David Redondo, mayor of Riohacha, a border city which currently holds 47,657 migrants, also underscored the possible consequences of a possible mass migration:
"It's necessary that we prepare because we don't know the social consequences that could arise from the current situation in our neighboring country"
Miguel Felipe Aragón, mayor of another border city called Maicao, also chimed in, saying that he's "very worried" about what could happen, citing "the unknown effects" that an exodus could trigger. Aragon also added his concern about opposition leader being persecuted all the way into his county:
"They're denouncing persecution in Maicao, where migrant families are receiving their family which is affiliated to the opposition"
The impact of a potential Venezuelan exodus could have consequences way beyond its neighboring countries. Places like Florida and Denver are already bracing for the influx, expressing concerns about everything from housing to creating campaigns that properly integrate the new arrivals.
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