Venezuelans continue to flee the country as the economy shows no signs of recovery

Venezuelans proceed to depart their homeland in report numbers. It’s the largest refugee exodus ever recorded within the Western Hemisphere.

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

From Arizona to New York state, governments are struggling to deal with a large inflow of migrants. Lots of these migrants come from Venezuela, which has but to emerge from the worst financial disaster in its historical past. Since 2015, greater than 7 million Venezuelans, or practically 1 / 4 of the pre-crisis inhabitants, have fled their nation. Reporter John Otis is in western Venezuela and joins us now. John, thanks a lot for being with us.

JOHN OTIS, BYLINE: Good morning, Scott.

SIMON: That is your first time again in Venezuela in two years. What do you see?

OTIS: Effectively, you understand, the individuals who have stayed in Venezuela – they’re actually struggling. There could also be just a little extra financial exercise than the final time I used to be right here, however loads of issues are simply breaking down. The truth is, proper after crossing the border from Colombia into Venezuela, I noticed an deserted wind farm. Looters had stripped away nearly every thing, even these large blades off the wind generators. So all that was left had been these barren white towers.

Venezuela can also be attempting to get its oil business again up and operating, however that is been arduous as a result of U.S. sanctions, in addition to an absence of upkeep. One instance is Lake Maracaibo, which is that this large lake in western Venezuela that is house to lots of of oil derricks and pipelines, however many are damaged and leaking oil. I noticed seashores which have became oil slicks. Industrial fisheries have thrown out their catches as a result of the fish come up all stained black with oil. So, you understand, it may be a fairly grim image right here.

SIMON: From what you say, John, it appears Venezuelans are simply going to proceed to depart their nation.

OTIS: I am afraid so. It looks as if everybody right here has a number of kinfolk already up within the U.S. And in the meantime, it is largely older of us who’re staying behind. Throughout my time right here, I got here throughout one protest, and it was made up of retirees.

UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER: (Talking Spanish).

(APPLAUSE)

OTIS: You already know, these are former state employees of their 70s and 80s who had been protesting as a result of their pensions quantity to only $4 a month. Most say they’re too previous to begin anew some other place. However the youthful of us are leaving Venezuela in droves. Amongst them is Angel Marin (ph). He is 32, married and has a 4-year-old son. He works for a cellphone firm, and he would not need to depart. However then his son developed bronchial asthma. And let’s take a take heed to what occurred subsequent.

ANGEL MARIN: (Talking Spanish).

OTIS: So right here he is saying that his son’s bronchial asthma medication prices $32 a month, but when he buys these meds, his household just isn’t going to find the money for for meals. So it is actually a tragic dilemma. And that is why they’ve determined to promote all their belongings and depart Venezuela.

SIMON: Yeah. And once you say depart, their vacation spot is the US? Do we all know how they’d get right here?

OTIS: Yeah, that is proper. It’s to the U.S., for probably the most half. And this brings up one other dilemma. As a result of most Venezuelan migrants lack visas, they face two very dangerous choices. The primary is to trek overland. However which means mountaineering via the Darien Hole, which is a roadless jungle area connecting Colombia with Panama. The Darien Hole has seen a report quantity of visitors this yr. However throngs of migrants have been robbed, raped or killed. So Angel and his household – they’re planning to fly to the Colombian island of San Andres after which take a clandestine migrant boat to Nicaragua after which proceed overland. However, you understand, these boats typically sink, and loads of migrants have drowned alongside this route. So by land or by sea, these migrants simply type of have to choose their poison.

SIMON: John, is there any occasion on the horizon that might flip issues round for Venezuelans who need to keep?

OTIS: Effectively, many Venezuelans say that the one option to actually essentially change the nation could be to do away with the present authorities. President Nicolas Maduro is an autocrat who’s badly mishandled the economic system. Subsequent yr, there’s alleged to be a presidential election. And, in truth, the opposition proper now could be planning a main for subsequent month to resolve who ought to tackle Maduro. However even when Maduro had been to lose that election, it is actually unclear whether or not he would respect the outcomes if he loses.

SIMON: John Otis in Venezuela, thanks a lot.

OTIS: Thanks very a lot.

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