14.12.19
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1.4 million  Venezuelans had Crossed into Colombia on Foot to Escape Poverty

​The Venezuela humanitarian crisis is projected to become the largest refugee crisis in the world by 2020. As Venezeula’s neighbor, Colombia has become home to more Venezuelan migrants than any other country in Latin America. The most vulnerable of these Venezuelan migrants are arriving in Colombia on foot; thousands cross the border into Colombia every day. Some plan to walk from the Colombian border to Ecuador, Peru, or Chile. These migrants are called the caminantes, or the walkers. In summer 2019, Colombia is experiencing an in increase in women, children, people with disabilities, and older adults among the caminantes, who often arrive in dire conditions due to the dangers of their journey. The economic crisis that has engulfed Venezuela under President Nicolás Maduro has set off a staggering exodus. The economic damage is among the worst in Latin American history, researchers say, with more than three million people leaving the country in recent years — largely on foot. They are fleeing dangerous shortages of food, water, electricity and medicine, as well as the government’s political crackdowns. 
Credit: SOAP BOX