In the face of economic collapse and severe repression in Venezuela, many citizens have sought refuge in neighboring Colombia. However, the recent freeze on U.S. foreign aid has left these migrants in a precarious position. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping changes to foreign assistance led to the abrupt dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), affecting programs worldwide. As a result, aid workers in Colombia have seen their contracts terminated, and USAID staffers globally were recalled, with several placed on leave. The cessation of aid has directly impacted numerous USAID-funded initiatives, such as the Safe Mobility Program, which many migrants relied on for legal migration pathways and vocational training.
The Venezuelan diaspora in Colombia is the largest in the world, with migrants like Alexandra Guerra striving to establish stable lives despite numerous challenges. Guerra, who applied to the Safe Mobility Program aiming for legal migration to the United States, saw her hopes dashed when her application was suspended due to the aid halt. This program offered training in skills like shoemaking at a vocational school in Cali, Colombia, providing a vital lifeline for Venezuelans seeking stability.
The vocational school in Cali has been more than just an educational institution for migrants; it has served as a community hub where individuals find guidance and support to navigate their uncertain futures. Underlining this point, a participant named Olimpio remarked:
“Here, this center becomes the family network that can help you out. Maybe a friend you make at work, maybe a street neighbor you meet here.”
For Guerra and others, this network has been indispensable. Despite the setback from the program's suspension, Guerra remains determined to seek better opportunities. With the U.S. option now closed, she plans to migrate to Europe, albeit alone, leaving her sons behind in Colombia.
The Trump administration's foreign aid policy aims to curb migration by addressing its root causes. However, strategies such as mass deportations and ICE raids have faced criticism for their potential inefficacy. The suspension of nearly 82 programs worth almost $2 billion in Colombia alone is raising concerns among local officials. They argue that closing USAID will likely drive more people to migrate out of necessity rather than choice.
One anonymous aid worker expressed the uncertainty prevalent among those affected by these recent changes:
“We understand you have questions, and most likely we don’t have answers for them…”
The reality faced by Venezuelan migrants highlights a stark truth about migration patterns. As Ayarith Olimpio candidly articulated:
“Immigrants don’t leave their country just because they want to.”
For Guerra, the vocational center in Cali was more than a place of learning; it represented hope and possibility. The guidance she received from the staff was instrumental in her journey towards self-sufficiency. She attributes her progress to their unwavering support:
“There are people right now who are waiting for their opportunity, just like I waited and got it,” Olimpio asserted, reflecting on the impact of such programs.
The implications of the USAID shutdown extend beyond individual stories like Guerra's. It threatens to destabilize efforts made by both Colombian institutions and international partners to manage the influx of Venezuelan migrants effectively. Colombian officials warn that without these programs, more Venezuelans might be forced to undertake perilous journeys in search of stability and safety elsewhere.
