Colombians Come to Venezuela in Droves

Colombians Come to Venezuela in Droves
http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/4913

November 4th 2009
by Benytsa González


It is estimated that by the end of 2009, 301 Colombians will be entering the country daily. The migration from the neighbouring country is no longer the same as that experienced in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, when one person per family group migrated.

Colombian families are now collectively mobilizing to Venezuela in search of the realization of a quality of life that is impossible for them to find in their home country, given the economic conditions in which they are forced to live as a result of the armed conflict. <1>

The second study of human migration of Colombians to Venezuela, conducted between August 2007 and October 2008 indicates that 67% of Colombian citizens who have arrived in the country have done so in the company of their partners and / or families. In addition, 17% of them came to the country because they had family here.

“This means that the reasons for mobility are no longer solely those of one person or a family member, but entire families. Whole families are coming,” says Juan Carlos Tanus, executive director of Colombians in Venezuela, the organization that conducted the study.

Of these families, 74% of them have children, 67% of which were born in Colombia.

According to figures divulged by the investigation, conducted in 16 states with a sample of 136,600 Colombians, people arrive in bulk because it is cheaper to live in Venezuela.

The reasons for the migration of 75% of those citizens are overwhelmingly economic.

According to Tanus, “the war consumes the entire budget (of Colombia) and people have to go find other means of life in other countries. Seventy-five % moved for economic reasons, but basically these reasons are a product of the development of the war, of the social conflict, because some of those 136,600 people are heads of families who come from areas where the Colombian armed conflict has unfolded.”


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going against the grain,
And obviously, others want to be part of it.

I imagine this has been signed by now, but a quick search didn't find an answer.
It certainly alarmed many in the region, but got little notice here.

http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/08/18/sec-clinton-defends-deal-to-send-us-troops-into-colombia/

Sec. Clinton defends deal to send US troops into Colombia

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By Agence France-Presse

Published: August 18, 2009

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday defended an imminent agreement that will give the United States access to military bases in Colombia, amid regional concerns about US intentions.

Clinton and visiting Colombian Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez said the two countries expected to sign a defense cooperation agreement soon that will boost their longstanding military ties.

“I want to be clear about what this agreement does and does not. First: the agreement does not create US bases in Colombia, it does provide US access to Colombian bases,” Clinton said after a meeting with Bermudez.

The top US diplomat said the governments in Washington and Bogota hoped to sign the agreement “in the near future.”

The deal, finalized last week, is expected to give the US access to three Colombian air bases, two navy bases and two army bases.

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http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4126141


Colombia, U.S. sign military cooperation deal

Source: Reuters

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia and the United States signed a pact on Friday increasing U.S. access to military bases in the South American country, deepening its standing as Washington's main ally in the region.

Left-leaning leaders in neighboring countries object to the deal, which gives U.S. troops access to seven bases in an effort to boost anti-drug and counter-insurgency operations.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says the pact will destabilize the region and could set the stage for a U.S.-led invasion of his oil-rich country, a claim that Bogota and Washington dismiss.

"The pact is based on the principles of total respect for sovereign equality, territorial integrity and not intervening in the internal affairs of other states," said a statement issued by Colombia's foreign ministry.

U.S. and Colombian officials say the American military presence in the Andean country will not exceed caps previously set by the U.S. Congress of 800 military personnel and 600 contractors.

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It speaks for itself.

nt

Interesting article

that's not even an entire jetliner, interesting definition of "droves"

they might get more swedish tourists a day, well, i exaggerate, but maybe only a little

this is hardly on a par of the entire population of zimbabwe has gotten on its feet and walked into south africa (and who can blame them?)