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According to data documented by the Organization of American States, there are 5.1 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees. The impact on receiving countries has determined the world’s actions in the search for and design of policies to respond to this vulnerable population that flees Venezuela to survive the dictatorship.
In order to learn more about the situation of Venezuelan migrants and refugees in Costa Rica and to obtain new support from the international community that will allow for the expansion of the response and assistance capacity of receiving countries, the Venezuelan Ambassador in Costa Rica, María Faría, held a meeting today Thursday, October 15th, with the Ambassadors of the European Union in the Central American country: H. E. Martina Nibbeling-Wriessnig, Ambassador of Germany; H.E. Ms. Cristina Pérez, Ambassador of Spain; H.E. Mr. Phillipe Vinogradoff, Ambassador of France; Mr. Carlo de Parolis, Chargé d’Affaires of Italy and H.E. Ms. Christine Pirenne, Ambassador of the Netherlands.
“There are millions of painful stories, of divided families and others who leave Venezuela without any resources, seeking assistance to survive. In Costa Rica there are more than 40,000 Venezuelan migrants and refugees. There is no doubt that this is a high number that impacts a country with an already complex situation as a consequence of Covid 19, having within this critical framework, the need to develop solutions in the area of migration,” said Faria.
During the meeting, the Venezuelan diplomat detailed cases that involve family groups with minors who are in a state of vulnerability, informing at the same time about the limitations that some of their fellow countrymen have to access education and health. “The profile of the Venezuelan diaspora has changed as the crisis deepens due to the intensification of violence promoted by the dictatorship and the lack of adequate living conditions in Venezuela,” said the ambassador.
“Venezuelans who migrated between 2015 and 2020 to Costa Rica are in a much more vulnerable condition than those who arrived between 2010 and 2014. The profile of the Venezuelan migrant is changing rapidly and, increasingly, those who arrive in this country require humanitarian assistance and greater support for their integration into labor markets and Costa Rican society,” she said.
The Ambassador also warned the European Union about the electoral fraud called by the usurper regime with the purpose of undermining the bases of the only legitimate power in Venezuela today, the National Assembly.
“Any election carried out under these unconstitutional bases imposed by the Regime are illegitimate and fraudulent. It is absurd to think that criminals against humanity, who repress and eliminate opposition and dissidence, may organize free and fair elections”, she stated.
She recognizes that Venezuelans are doing what is humanly possible “to overcome this episode and to put our history in order. We know that we are clearly responsible for ordering our country, complying to the letter with what is established in our Constitution, creating the conditions for the re-institutionalization and the rebirth of the powers in Venezuela, but we require the support of the free world and of the entire international justice system to defeat the enemy we are facing”.
