According to the official discourse of the regime, the reasons why millions of Venezuelans make the decision to cross the borders and settle in other countries are related to the application of the economic sanctionss on behalf of the United States, but the sociologist Tomás Páez, president of the Venezuelan Diaspora Observatorywho for years has carried out research on the migration phenomenondisagrees and reveals the identity of the person responsible. His name is “Socialism” and his last name “Del Siglo XXI”.
“Socialism, although they have given it the nickname of the 21st century, is the same as always. Its typical attributes are: poverty, misery, rationing and diaspora. In the Soviet Union, passports were imposed so that people would not leave. Socialism fell (in Germany), not when they destroyed the wall, but when they had to build it to prevent people from leaving. There it was shown that socialism is a prison“, he said in an exclusive interview for Analytics.
He maintains that socialism despises human beings, because it sees them as a piece of a machine controlled by the State and that is why it is so inefficient. “That happened in the Soviet Union, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Vietnam, in China it took 60 million people and in Cuba”, he asserts.
He points out that although there are 2 million Mexicans in the United States, Mexico has a population of 120 million people, so emigrants do not represent more than 15% of the total, but in the case of Venezuelans the diaspora reaches 27%. of the total population, which also left the country in just two decades.
almost nine million
According to the figures of the organization he presides, There are 8.8 million Venezuelans those who reside outside the national territory. A figure higher than that recorded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)which indicate that the number is 7.7 million. Páez explains that the difference has to do with the fact that these institutions manage data corresponding to 54 recipient countries, but the Observatory has data from 90 countries where there are Venezuelans.
“It’s not the sanctions, it’s that socialism eliminates any possibility”argues the sociologist about the causes. He explains that Venezuela until 2012 – during the Government of Hugo Chávez – received the highest income in the entire history of the country, 6 or 7 times the income it received in 40 years of democracy. “That turned into 500 billion dollars that are outside the country or in some of those laundromats. Income became salt and water, the country was destroyed, everything was imported, the industry was destroyed (…) So, what are we talking about when we point to sanctions? We have to get serious!”he blurts out.
He explains that just over two-thirds of the Venezuelan diaspora is in South American countries and that 600 thousand people passed through Darién alone (border between Colombia and Panama) last year, of which 60% were Venezuelans, one part coming from Venezuela and the other from South American countries.
The causes
Tomás Paéz points out that migration is caused by multifactorial situations. One of the aspects is the economic and social one, where a significant drop in the Gross Domestic Product stands out, not seen even in countries at war. “We have an absolutely impoverished society, beyond the bubbles that exist in certain areas of Venezuela”highlights.
Another aspect that worries people the most is the issue of security. “In the case of many journalists there is the issue of persecution and fear to do their work. Thousands of engineers who have had to leave due to the contraction of the construction sector. The reason has to do, not only with the economic, but with the social and political. When you see what is happening to Rocío San Miguel and the family, it is a warning that generates fear in society. There are people who begin to think of themselves: If I say something I can be next, or my mother, or my son.”comments.
In addition, he questions the treatment that the regime has given to Venezuelan migrants. “When they have referred to the Venezuelan diaspora, they have done so in terms of lava toilets, fooled fools, etc. So, when they ask me about xenophobia, I say, don’t look outside for what already exists at home. “The greatest act of xenophobia is produced by the Venezuelan government with its diaspora”.
Páez explains that this diaspora develops important political activity y “It hurts the regime a lot”why “Its presence testifies to the failure of the 21st century model of socialism”.
He adds that this group has an important organizational capacity, with more than 1,300 civil society organizations that carry out mobilizations to denounce the issue of political prisoners, activities with national or supranational parliaments, or have a radio program. “There is work in all areas of relations, denunciation, mobilization and connection with organizations in Venezuela (…) That implies commitment to the country. “What has been missing is driving.”.
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**Interview with Tomás Páez, Sociologist and President of the Venezuelan Diaspora Observatory**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Tomás. Your insights into the Venezuelan refugee crisis are highly regarded. Can you start by summarizing the primary reasons behind the mass emigration from Venezuela?
**Tomás Páez:** Thank you for having me. The primary reasons for the exodus of Venezuelans stem from a devastating combination of factors tied to the social and economic policies associated with what I call “Socialism Del Siglo XXI.” This system has led to widespread poverty, rationing, and human despair. Although the regime often blames external economic sanctions, it is the internal governance and systemic failures that compel people to leave.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that the data shows approximately 8.8 million Venezuelans living abroad. How does this compare with statistics from international organizations?
**Tomás Páez:** That’s correct. The figure I provided is based on our own data from 90 countries. In contrast, entities like the IOM and UNHCR cite a lower number of 7.7 million, which is based solely on 54 recipient countries. The discrepancy arises because our observatory captures a broader scope of Venezuelan settlements globally.
**Interviewer:** You criticized the government’s narrative that blames sanctions for the crisis. Can you elaborate on your perspective regarding this?
**Tomás Páez:** Certainly. The regime deflects responsibility by attributing the crisis to external sanctions. However, the fact is that Venezuela experienced its highest income levels during Hugo Chávez’s government, yet the wealth was mismanaged. We’re talking about $500 billion in revenue turned into a collapsed economy. This financial mismanagement has left the country in ruins, not sanctions.
**Interviewer:** You referenced historical examples of socialism creating oppressive conditions. Why do you think these lessons aren’t recognized in the current context?
**Tomás Páez:** That’s a critical point. History shows that socialist regimes often end up restricting personal freedoms to maintain control—essentially turning societies into prisons. Many fail to see these parallels today because of ideological biases or the hope that the outcome might be different. Yet, the patterns are consistent and troubling.
**Interviewer:** What do you believe is the long-term impact of this crisis on both Venezuelans and the countries hosting them?
**Tomás Páez:** The long-term impact is profound. For Venezuelans, chronic instability and loss of identity may persist for generations. For host countries, there can be economic strains but also opportunities for cultural enrichment and workforce expansion. Ultimately, it is crucial for both sides to foster dialogue and policies that support integration and understanding.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, Tomás, what message would you like to convey to the international community regarding the Venezuelan diaspora?
**Tomás Páez:** I would urge the international community to look beyond the rhetoric and recognize the multifaceted causes of this crisis. Support and assistance should be directed towards addressing these root issues, helping to create a pathway for Venezuelans to rebuild their lives, whether they choose to return or remain abroad. Understanding the reality on the ground is essential to making a meaningful difference.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for your time and insights, Tomás. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you.
**Tomás Páez:** Thank you for having me.