The flight from Venezuela

Venezuelas turn back – missing family in exile

Thousands of Venezuelans who left the country with the goal of reaching the United States have returned during the year, after Donald Trump took office. This is reported by Bloomberg based on figures from other Latin American countries.

Economic instability and political repression have over the years caused Venezuelans to flee north, but the hope of a better life in the United States has ended in disappointment for many, even though economic conditions have improved. One of the strongest reasons why many want to return is that they want to be reunited with relatives, according to the UN migration agency IOM.

The news agency writes that human smugglers who have long made money by bringing people to the United States have now started to charge migrants who want to go in the opposite direction. Anyone who wants to get from El Paso in Texas to the Mexican city of Juarez needs to pay the equivalent of approximately 25,000 kronor.

Escaping Venezuela

Eduardo, 24: We have to choose between money and friends

The 24-year-old Venezuelan Eduardo Rincón increased his monthly salary significantly when he moved from the Latin American country to the United States. He was granted a temporary residence permit in Miami but has moved back after it expired.

After returning home, he earns the equivalent of around 6,000 kronor from his communications job, compared to around 40,000 when he worked at a hotel in Florida. He describes his time in the United States as very lonely.

– It feels like we are doomed to choose between a better life financially, but without family and friends, and a poorer life but surrounded by loved ones.