Post
Region: Geopolity
- FOLHA DE S.PAULO
- ★ ☆ ★
- FOREIGN AFFAIRS • VENEZUELA
- Roraima overwhelmed as thousands of Venezuelan refugees pour into Brazil
- Hundreds attempt crossing each day despite Caracas' exit ban
Maurício Linhares Salgado
Augusto Borges Braga
Estevão Cunha de Freitas
PACARAIMA Caracas' decision to close its border with Brazil appears to have little effect, as an influx of Venezuelan migrants has prompted the state government of Roraima to appeal for federal assistance.
Speaking in a radio interview, the mayor of Pacaraima claimed that hundreds of Venezuelans continued to attempt the crossing despite the closure, and were resorting to increasingly dangerous means to do so.
"The roads are blocked by Venezuelan soldiers, and we've heard reports of them arresting or shooting those who try to leave. So you have entire families spending days hiking through the jungle or savannah to avoid them," she said. "Many of them end up here hungry, sickly, and dangerously dehydrated as a result."
Over 500,000 Venezuelan refugees have emigrated to Brazil since the 2010s due to skyrocketing levels of crime, hyperinflation, poverty, malnutrition, and political repression, with almost half making landfall during the past 4 years. Public services have simply been overwhelmed, forcing thousands out of shelters and onto the streets, abandoned buildings, and into the properties of slumlords. Most are unemployed and resort to begging or charity to make ends meet.
The Brazilian Restoration and Salvation Council (BRSC), Brazil's military government, has deployed 4,000 soldiers to patrol the Roraiman border. But many locals are becoming increasingly angry at the situation. Roraima is one of Brazil's most underdeveloped states, and the thought of Venezuelan refugees competing with locals for what scarce resources remain has caused an uptick in xenophobic sentiments.
"Roraima is already poor," said a local business owner. "Now you want us to take in thousands more? Where will they sleep? What jobs will they take? They sure as hell aren't taking mine!"
"The northern border is wide open for gangs and cartels. Secure our border now!" wrote a social media user.
"When Venezuela sends its people, they’re not sending their best," wrote another user. "They’re transporting all their problems onto us."
State police are already investigating several alleged attacks on refugee camps, which have so far injured 15 Venezuelans.
