Abstract
Why are Venezuelan Migrants accepted in neighboring Colombia, but not in other countries in South America? It is true that Colombia and Venezuela are similar in language, culture, and customs, but this is true across the continent. There has been literature published on the size of the crisis, and where they are going. Here, I will assess why the Colombian government is more accepting of Venezuelan migrants, even when this is not popular in Colombia or any other country in South America.
My argument is that US foreign policy has caused Colombia to be more accepting of Venezuelans than neighboring countries. Great power politics plays a role in this crisis. It is not in the United States' interests to take in Venezuelans, no matter how much they oppose the Maduro regime. This is because President Trump promised to take an "America First" stance and is not in favor of bringing in more migrants into the United States. This is popular among his party's base. Colombia has a very close relationship with the United States and has ties that go back decades. Other countries that are taking in migrants, such as Peru and Brazil, do not have this precedent. Colombia also receives a much higher rate of aid from the United States than the other countries do, giving it an incentive to take in Venezuelans.
Thesis Completion
2020
Semester
Spring
Thesis Chair/Advisor
Mirilovic, Nikola
Degree
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
College
College of Sciences
Department
Political Science
Degree Program
Political Science
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus-only Access
1 year
Release Date
5-1-2021
Recommended Citation
Rosario, Suhan M., "How Great Power Politics Influences Refugee Policy: Assessing the U.S. Foreign Policy Implications of Differing Responses to the Venezuelan Migration Crisis in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil" (2020). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 755.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses/755