Colombian President Gustavo Petro has suggested that the United States should provide an “economic stabilization” bonus to Venezuelan migrants who pass through Colombia on their way to the U.S. During his visit to Venezuela, Petro announced this proposal while standing alongside Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. However, he did not disclose any specifics about the bonuses or when he made the suggestion. Petro believes that these payments would enable families to return to their homeland. Currently, approximately 2.8 million Venezuelans reside in Colombia, as a result of the country’s ongoing economic crisis, which has forced over 7 million people to leave since 2017. Petro emphasized that the majority of these migrants are Venezuelan and therefore should consider returning to their home country. The Maduro government claims that around two million people have left Venezuela, but there was no comment from President Maduro on Petro’s proposal. On a different note, Petro also mentioned that Colombia’s state-owned oil company, Ecopetrol, is likely to collaborate with Venezuela’s state-run oil company, PDVSA, in the exploration of oil and gas. He spoke of a “true energy integration between the two countries,” but did not provide any additional details.
Colombia’s Petro Urges U.S. to Provide Financial Support to Venezuelan Migrants
