A significant number of Venezuelan migrants have found a new home in Bogota, Colombia, with one neighborhood unofficially named Barrio Hugo Chavez in honor of the late Venezuelan president. The mass exodus of over seven million Venezuelans over the past decade has led to the formation of informal communities in Bogota, where migrants support each other in adapting to their new lives and combating feelings of homesickness.
One such migrant, Maria Alvarez, left Venezuela in 2017 with her young son Gabriel and has since made a life for herself in Colombia. Despite the challenges of being away from her homeland, Alvarez has found stability in Bogota, working as a manicurist and even starting a foundation to provide support to fellow migrants.
The upcoming election in Venezuela, where opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez is challenging the current government led by Nicolas Maduro, has sparked hope among many migrants for a potential return to their home country. Recent polls show Gonzalez leading by a significant margin, raising expectations for a possible change in leadership.
If Gonzalez were to win the election, it is believed that many migrants, like Alvarez, would consider returning to Venezuela. However, if Maduro retains power, the flow of migrants towards the United States' southern border is expected to increase, putting pressure on the Biden administration to address the situation.
The outcome of the election in Venezuela could have far-reaching implications, not only for the migrants themselves but also for international relations. The Biden administration's involvement in negotiations with Maduro has been crucial in shaping the current political landscape, with hopes for a transition to democracy in Venezuela.
As the election approaches, the fate of millions of Venezuelan migrants hangs in the balance, with the potential for significant shifts in migration patterns depending on the election results and subsequent actions taken by the respective governments.
