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Venezuela’s refugees: Antisocials, delinquents and criminals?

The catastrophic economic meltdown of a country leaving its citizens with no access to food, employment, medical services or education has forced millions of Venezuelans to abandon their lives, homes, families and friends fleeing to neighbouring countries of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

The UNHCR says 3.5 million people have fled Venezuela in the past three years.

Six months ago the backbone of Venezuela, the working class, loitered in numbers at every traffic light in Quito selling sweets, ice-creams, energy drinks and cleaning car windows.

Their life story and tales of hardship scrawled on scraps of flimsy cardboard as their cupped hands begged for donations. Now they are ghosts, outcasts, social pariahs destined for a life hiding in the city’s shadows. Where have they all gone?

Alex Moncada, country director of Care Ecuador, says: “Since the reaction of Ecuadorian authorities that unleashed a wave of xenophobia affecting several cities in the country, Venezuelan families have fled to other places, creating further complications to coordinate a humanitarian response to those in need. Immobilised by fear, they are unable to leave their shelters and find any income to cover their needs.

“There is now inconceivable harm perpetrated against innocent families. Promoting actions based on the reaction and not on prevention can lead to misunderstandings in a country that has a commitment to being multicultural and respectful of human rights. The problem of gender violence goes beyond the nationalities and must be attacked from the bottom up, as well as xenophobia: with prevention plans and projects that enhance values and education in society. Latin America´s situation demands a complete transformation on the ways that governments deal with social problems.”

Meanwhile, the walkers continue their march. Endless lines wearing down the soles of their shoes on the asphalt of Colombia and Ecuador en route to Peru. The incredible nature of human beings, the ability to survive against all odds.

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Professional doctors, teachers and civil engineers alike have changed as people along their journey. A life asking for nothing from anyone, now forced to beg from total strangers and sleeping by the sides of the roads huddled together to keep warm. The marvel of how humans can adapt in order to survive.

Like many other Venezuelans, Miguel Trojillio Sanchez, 28, arrived here exhausted, hungry, cold and humiliated to discover the world has cast them off as undesirables.

“I am heartbroken about the current situation in my wonderful country, but what can I do ... it has however given me the chance to witness Colombia from a different perspective, experience its wonderful people, accept their generosity and see the incredibly beautiful landscapes.”

Miguel is testament that whatever the result of the international political game playing out in Caracas, even in their darkest hour when staring at adversity from the precipice, the spirit of the Venezuelan people will not and cannot be broken.

Donations to Care International can be made here