Up to 600 Venezuelans cross the border into Brazil every day

Following the electoral process of July 28 and the wave of repression led by the administration of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuelajournalists and residents of the Gran Sabana municipality, in the state of Bolívar, reported a significant increase in migration that includes the daily departure of up to 500 Venezuelans to Pacaraima, 214 km from the city of Boa Vista, capital of the state of Roraima, in Brazil.

Journalist and migrant rights activist Yesica Morais, in an interview with Caroni Mail, He said that for about a week now (August 23) the number of Venezuelans moving to Pacaraima has skyrocketed, the displaced people seeking to benefit from Operation Welcome, a plan designed to deal with the large flow of migrants from Venezuela that began in 2018.

This project consists of three stages: border management (reception, identification and documentation), accommodation in border cities and voluntary relocation to some area of ​​Brazil. This benefit allows Venezuelans to enter the country legally as a humanitarian welcome.

“Exactly 10 days ago I was at the border and the flow was low. Approximately 120 to 150 people were entering daily. For about six days there has been a large increase, between 550 and 600 people are entering daily,” said Morais.

Operation Welcome makes Brazil a friendly destination for Venezuelan migrants, who upon crossing the border must line up in tents where they present a Venezuelan identity card – which may be expired – to join the first step, which consists of being immunized by the so-called sanitary barrier. This seeks to prevent the spread of diseases such as hepatitis B, tardive dyskinesia and yellow fever, among others.

“Brazil has a well-prepared structure to serve approximately 350 people a day, to receive them, that is, to serve and document them. Between 50 and 100 are being served the following day; they should not wait 15 or 20 days. The stages of Operation Welcome include, first, giving them the vaccines to avoid an outbreak of any disease; and to immunize, because it is known that most of the vaccines are lacking in Venezuela. Then they are stamped at the entrance; this is done only with the identity card; even with an expired identity card, they can apply for residency. Then they go through the welcoming system, which is the platform of the Brazilian system to keep track of the people who enter. Later they give you a talk and inform you about the shelter and the residence, you decide which one meets your needs,” the communicator specified.

Regarding immunizations, Morais said that there has recently been a shortage of vaccines in the reception tents, since there are not enough supplies to serve such a large migrant population, which can slow down the process.

América Páez, a resident of Santa Elena, confirmed that movement has increased considerably outside the tents that begin the reception process. She explained that to get to this point, Venezuelans can pay for a taxi or motorcycle to take them from the border to the documentation area.

He indicated that in conversation with some of those present, he was able to learn that after the presidential elections on July 28, the flow has been increasing, with many of those present seeking to enter in family groups.

What is the process of integration into the country through Operation Welcome?

Morais, who is part of the communication and information lines for the reception process, explained that migrants can choose the steps to follow after having the documentation, which is valid for two years.

“People can apply for residency or refuge. Those who apply for refuge have the protection of the State and their data is stored. They can also apply for shelter, which most people apply for because they do not have the resources to pay for a hotel. They are not really the best conditions because it is a temporary shelter, they are only there to receive people in Pacaraima while they go through the documentation process, to then be internalized, either in Boa Vista or in other states. Then there is the last pillar, which is internalization. The person reports if they have relatives in another state or a friend. They can also get them a job. They should always have someone responsible for them in the place where they go. The conditions of the shelters in Pacaraima, as in Boa Vista, are not the best, but they guarantee a roof, a bed and food,” he said.

According to official information, there are approximately 1,250 people waiting to be sent to Boa Vista at the Pacaraima shelter. Buses leave daily to transport the members of Operation Welcome.

Economy: the main motivation for migration

In the face of the new wave of migration, a valid question is whether these people are returning or, on the contrary, if they are other Venezuelans seeking to enter the country. In this regard, the specialist confirmed that those who are returning do not have to go through this process again, which means that a new wave of migration is taking place. She explained that there is also the phenomenon of people who are already documented and who are now seeking to bring their relatives in and accompany them to carry out the process.

According to testimonies, the main motive is economic, as Venezuelans flee to find decent living conditions. However, cases of persecution have also been reported after the electoral process.

“There are many who came, voted and are returning with their families, and their families must go through this process. Regarding the causes, the first ones who were persecuted left days after the elections because they were sought out and they left. There are a few who are still hiding and are coming out little by little. But the majority who are leaving are doing so for economic reasons, and what we see in Venezuela is greater repression… Just for demonstrating or having information on their phone that is contrary to the government, they are being put in jail. Of course, this worsens the situation of the Venezuelan people and their hopelessness,” he said.

Higher rate of migrant reception than to Colombia

On why more migrants are reported to Brazil than to Colombia, Morais clarified that the transfer to Cúcuta, in the Norte de Santander department, Colombia has more complex access, with multiple checkpoints along the way.

He clarified that to enter Colombia legally, it is necessary to have a valid passport, a requirement that is not requested in Operation Welcome. In addition, the Venezuelan passport costs more than 200 dollars, which is why a significant number of migrants do not have one.