Overview
Conflict in Colombia has intensified along its border with Venezuela, leading to significant increase in the number of Colombians seeking refuge in Venezuela.  Recent estimates indicate there are between 120,000 and 200,000 Colombian refugees, largely concentrated in border regions. Patterns of violence are mirroring trends in Colombia, where illegal armed groups are conducting criminal activities, terrorizing local populations, and exercising social control over entire communities.  Death threats, selective assassinations, kidnappings and extortion are on the rise and now beginning to affect communities that are hosting refugees.  Smuggling and trafficking of goods and narcotics through the border regions is also widespread.

Current Humanitarian Situation
In response to dangers in the border regions of Venezuela, the government has put the region under military command.  There are frequent reports of military personnel harassing Colombian refugees because of their lack of proper documentation.  Lack of freedom of movement forces many refugees to live in areas controlled by the same groups who originally caused them to flee from Colombia.

The government of Venezuela is not accurately responding to the documentation and identification needs of the Colombian refugees, restricting their ability to seek greater safety elsewhere in the country and exposing them to greater risk of abuse. Access to the asylum process is limited given the lack of funding and staffing of competent authorities. The eligibility process of the refugee applications is very slow with many refugees waiting as long as six years for their refugee claims to be resolved.

In spite of the problems mentioned Colombian refugees are widely welcomed in the Venezuelan community.  Due to years of cultural and economic relations between the countries, refugees have been able to access basic social services like primary health care, education and housing without experiencing discrimination and enjoying an important degree of integration into their host community.


Action Needed

• The government of Venezuela should improve its registration process and expedite the processing of asylum claims.
• The government of Venezuela should collaborate with the government of Ecuador and share their respective experiences in addressing the needs of Colombian refugees.