“Colombia vs Venezuela”
A country that once was one of Latin America's most thriving and flourishing countries is now on a very miserable place. The venezuelan crisis has been an ongoing issue for over the past years. Many civilians have lost their lives due to the lack of basic resources, such as food supplies, toilet paper, clothes, soap, and basic hygiene needs. Nicolás Maduro assumed the presidency by 2013, after Hugo Chavez's death, while taking very drastic decisions during his command, political and economical crises have arisen due to the hyperinflation caused by Maduro's government.
On the other hand, a big amount of the venezuelan
3.4 million Venezuelan civilians, which is about ten percent of the population, have fled the country because of the turmoil going on. The United Nations estimates that the number of people fleeing will continue increasing and that there may be as many as 5.3 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants by the end of 2019.
The UN reports 1.1 million Venezuelans have gone to Colombia, about 506,000 have gone to Peru, 288,000 have gone to Chile, 221,000 have gone to Ecuador, 130,000 have gone to Argentina, and 96,000 have gone to Brazil. All these countries are now struggling to give these refugees the aid needed for them to live in good terms; however, thousands of people are now experiencing social and economic strain. Dr. Jennifer McCoy, Distinguished University Professor of Political Science at Georgia State University, discussed about a third potential outcome for the venezuelan conflict: a negotiated solution.
A negotiated settlement means addressing the food and medical shortage and ensuring people’s basic survival needs are met while providing international economic support on the condition that certain political and institutional reforms are implemented. In exchange for the international aid, Venezuela’s government must agree to implement changes in monetary and fiscal policy and agree to reinvest revenues, particularly in the nationalized oil sector, while also being open to political negotiations.
I strongly believe that this conflict must be handled with peaceful means. We shall not seek peace where violence is being applied; therefore, peace is our only way out. If these issues keeps evolving and getting worse, Colombia's economy is going to be affected in many more ways than already is, so peaceful talks and negotiations must take place for this to be solved.
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” -Buddha
By Daniela Yúnez, Step 9.
