Others, however, believe that the Colombian government should prioritize the poverty and social issues that already exist within Colombia rather than pour money toward Venezuelan refugees.
Venezuelans I have talked with tell me different stories as well. Some express hope about the possibilities they see in Colombia, such as getting a job and finding more stability for their families. I've also heard, though, about a lot of discrimination against Venezuelans in Colombia. Many Venezuelans get derogatory terms spat at them on the street or are told when searching for jobs that they are not eligible for the same professions that they held in Venezuela. Some will do anything to stay in Colombia, and others want to move on to other South American countries. Others insist that they'd rather return to Venezuela, where they feel at home and know they won't be treated with the levels of disrespect and discrimination that they too often encounter in Colombia.
Just living in Colombia, I have been able to witness the complex human relations at the core of the current human rights crisis in Venezuela. As an outsider, it can be hard to fully understand the underlying histories and dynamics that might affect how people from the two countries interact with each other. All the same, the more I listen to and build relationships with individuals here, the more I believe I can gain an understanding of the human face of issues like the Venezuela crisis that we hear about in the news.
