The opponent in exile, David Smolansky, responded to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, the reasons why millions of Venezuelans left their country.
«The forced migration of 8 million Venezuelans was not related to the sanctions, but is the result of the continued violation of human rights by the Nicolás Maduro regime, as well as the complex humanitarian emergency facing Venezuela.wrote Smolansky in his X account. «“People are fleeing from a tyranny that has been entrenched for a quarter of a century.”.
Likewise, he highlighted that since the license was granted to Chevron more than a year ago. and all sanctions were lifted in October 2023, «More than 300 thousand Venezuelans have crossed the El Darién jungle, equivalent to almost the entire population of La Guaira».
The shortage of basic services such as water, electricity and gas was another point that Smolansky expressed. More than 70% of the population is not guaranteed regular drinking water or electricity service.
Finally he added: «Collapse of the economy. Venezuela produced more than 3m barrels of oil in 1999 and when sanctions were implemented in 2019, only just over 1 million was produced. PDVSA has been the biggest corruption scandal of the 21st century in the world, by far. At least $500 billion wasted, equivalent to 25 Plan Colombia».
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**Interview with David Smolansky: Addressing Venezuela’s Refugee Crisis**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, David. You recently stated that the forced migration of millions of Venezuelans is primarily due to the human rights violations under the Maduro regime rather than international sanctions. Can you elaborate on this perspective?
**Smolansky:** Absolutely. The situation in Venezuela has deteriorated over the past two decades, leading to severe human rights abuses, a collapsing economy, and a humanitarian crisis. Venezuelans are not just fleeing sanctions; they are escaping a dictatorship that has suppressed dissent and decimated public services.
**Editor:** You mentioned that since the sanctions were somewhat lifted, over 300,000 Venezuelans have crossed into Colombia through dangerous routes like the Darién jungle. What does this say about the state of living conditions in Venezuela?
**Smolansky:** It highlights the desperation of people. They are willing to risk their lives to escape a regime that has not only failed to provide basic needs—such as water and electricity—but has actively worked to stifle their freedoms. This mass migration is a testament to the dire state of our country.
**Editor:** In your view, what role does the international community play in this crisis? How effective can their intervention be?
**Smolansky:** The international community needs to recognize the scale of the humanitarian emergency in Venezuela and act accordingly. While lifting some sanctions might provide temporary relief to the regime, sustained pressure combined with humanitarian aid can help stabilize the situation. We need a concerted effort to address both the root causes and the immediate needs.
**Editor:** You also talked about the economic collapse, pointing out that Venezuela produced over 3 million barrels of oil in 1999 but is now just above 1 million. How does this economic downturn connect to the human exodus?
**Smolansky:** The decline of PDVSA and the oil industry has stripped the country of its resources. With rampant corruption and mismanagement, the economy has crumbled, leading to extreme poverty and unemployment. People cannot survive in such conditions, which is why they seek out better opportunities elsewhere.
**Editor:** Lastly, given these challenges, what can be done to assist those who have already fled and those who remain hoping for change?
**Smolansky:** For those who have fled, countries must provide support—both in terms of legal status and humanitarian assistance. For those remaining, international support is crucial to strengthen civil society and human rights advocates. Ultimately, we need a solution that fosters democratic governance in Venezuela, so people can return home with dignity.
**Editor:** Thank you, David, for sharing your insights. Given the complex situation unfolding in Venezuela, what do readers think—should the international community increase its intervention, and how do we balance support for the Venezuelan people with the realities of dealing with a regime like Maduro’s?
