Colombian authorities, including the mayor of Cúcuta Jorge Acevedo, demand more support for Venezuelans / Photo: La Nación
The mayor of San José de Cúcuta, Jorge Acevedo, reported that approximately 28% of the population of Cúcuta are Venezuelan migrants, which is equivalent to about 220 thousand people.
He detailed to The Nation that pendulum mobility has been reduced by around 60% since the presidential elections on July 28, affecting the daily flow of people.
He said that there are currently 103 thousand people with a Temporary Protection Permit (PPT) authorized to work in Cúcuta:
“A new expansion of PPT is needed so that they can work in the city of Cúcuta.”
Mobility
Regarding vehicular mobility, he commented that the Tonchalá Agreement facilitates it for Venezuelans to Pamplona and Cúcuta, and that efforts have been made to protect the rights of migrants.
“There was a moment when, at the entrance through San Antonio, the traffic police of Villa del Rosario began to clatter hard and we put ourselves in a position and managed to get the mayor to align himself with the police for the benefit of the city. people and not attacking the citizens’ pockets,” he highlighted.
For his part, the Colombian ambassador to Venezuela, Milton Rengifo, stated that issues related to SOAT (Mandatory Traffic Accident Insurance) are being managed between the foreign ministries of both countries.
Particular case
“There is also another particular case, and that is that we hope to obtain a binational instrument that allows insurance acquired by nationals and carriers of one country to be recognized in the other. We must remember that this was regulated by the Andean Community (CAN) but in a sovereign decision the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is not in that Community today, which forces us to work on binational tools,” he said.
He recalled that the option was recently proposed for Venezuelan nationals to acquire the SOAT for one day, and a bilateral instrument is expected that would allow greater benefits for the circulation of Colombian vehicles in Venezuela and vice versa.
Puerto La Cruz / El Tiempo Editorial Team
#quarter #population #Cúcuta #Venezuelan #migrants
2024-10-07 22:10:58
Where are Venezuelans migrating to
The Unseen Struggle of Cúcuta: A City Overwhelmed by Venezuelan Migration
As I read through the latest news article on the situation in Cúcuta, Colombia, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease and concern for the thousands of Venezuelan migrants who have made this city their temporary home. The mayor of San José de Cúcuta, Jorge Acevedo, has reported that approximately 28% of the population of Cúcuta are Venezuelan migrants, which is equivalent to about 220 thousand people [[1]]. This staggering number highlights the sheer scale of the migration crisis that has been unfolding in the region.
Thecity of Cúcuta has been a safe haven for many Venezuelan migrants, who have fled their home country in search of better economic opportunities, safety, and security. However, the reality on the ground is far from ideal. The influx of migrants has put a huge strain on the city’s resources, infrastructure, and services, leaving many to struggle to survive.
According to a report by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the situation has reversed, with over 50,000 migrants crossing the border from Venezuela to Colombia every month [[2]]. This has resulted in a significant increase in the number of informal settlements, mainly inhabited by Venezuelan migrants and refugees, around the border town of Cúcuta [[1]].
The working conditions of Venezuelan immigrants in Cúcuta have also been a cause for concern. A study conducted by Cuberos [[3]]found that many Venezuelan immigrants in Cúcuta, Los Patios, and La Parada are working in difficult conditions, with limited access to basic services such as healthcare and education.
The reduction in pendulum mobility, which has been reduced by around 60% since the presidential elections on July 28, has also affected the daily flow of people, making it even harder for migrants to access basic services and find employment.
In light of these findings, it is clear that more needs to be done to support the Venezuelan migrants in Cúcuta. The Colombian authorities, including the mayor of Cúcuta, Jorge Acevedo, are demanding more support for these migrants, and it is crucial that their pleas are heard.
The international community must come together to provide aid, resources, and support to the city of Cúcuta and the Venezuelan migrants who have made it their home. This includes providing access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
It is also essential that the root causes of the migration crisis are addressed, including the economic and political instability in Venezuela. Until these underlying issues are resolved, the flow of migrants will continue, and cities like Cúcuta will remain under immense pressure.
the situation in Cúcuta is a stark reminder of the human cost of migration and the importance of providing support and aid to those who need it most. As a global community, we must come together to address this crisis and ensure that the Venezuelan migrants in Cúcuta receive the support and resources they so desperately need.
References:
[[1]]https://www.crisisgroup.org/latin-america-caribbean/andes/colombia-venezuela/hard-times-safe-haven-protecting-venezuelan
[[2]]https://www.ifrc.org/article/migration-americas-journey-cucuta
[[3]]https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/12/11/602
