As Venezuela recovers from a severe economic crisis, many families are increasingly relying on cryptocurrency for remittances, cash payments sent by relatives abroad. Traditionally, these payments are sent through international banks or services like Western Union, which often have high transaction fees and slow processing times. Due to the bolivar’s volatility and governmental restrictions, cryptocurrency offers a faster alternative. Over the past decade, Venezuela has become heavily dependent on remittances, with around 30% of households receiving such payments. In the last year alone, 9% of these remittances were sent via cryptocurrency, representing a significant increase. The country has seen over 7.7 million migrants leave in the last decade, and the Venezuelan immigrant population in the U.S. has surged, affecting cities like New York and Chicago. This rise in migration may influence the U.S. presidential election. In 2023, Venezuelans received more than $5.4 billion in remittances, with $461 million sent through cryptocurrencies. The jump in remittances is partly due to migrants’ efforts to support those they left behind. For example, Paola Moncrieff uses Dogecoin and Binance to transfer funds to her relatives, highlighting the growing role of cryptocurrency in these transactions. The use of cryptocurrency has become a crucial method for sending remittances to Venezuela, providing an alternative to traditional exchange methods hampered by economic instability. While appealing due to the avoidance of official exchange controls, this method is fraught with risks including price volatility and regulatory uncertainties. Peer-to-peer platforms facilitate the exchange of crypto into bolivars, but carry potential dangers such as fraud. Despite these challenges, individuals like Moncrieff and Espinoza find crypto valuable for quickly transferring and holding value amidst severe economic conditions. Binance remains a popular exchange despite its regulatory issues. Original Text by by María Paula Mijares Torres, publishes in -> Bloomberg

The Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela has extended its criminal activities into Chile, traditionally a safe and developed country in Latin America. Over the past five years, the gang has established sex trafficking operations and other criminal enterprises in Santiago, with reports of violence such as knife fights becoming more frequent. This expansion is part of a broader trend where organized crime groups operate autonomously across different countries following the COVID-19 pandemic. The gang capitalized on the regional economic crisis that caused 7.7 million Venezuelans to flee their country, targeting these vulnerable individuals for exploitation. Chile has seen a significant rise in crime due to the gang’s presence, with its murder rate nearly doubling since 2019. The country has also experienced increases in kidnappings, extortion, and sex trafficking. The spike in crime has shifted the political focus away from addressing economic inequalities to enhancing security, with crime becoming the primary concern for 70% of Chileans. This shift has impacted the popularity of President Gabriel Boric, despite his efforts to improve security policies. A notable incident linked to the gang was the politically motivated assassination of Ronald Ojeda, a Venezuelan migrant and critic of Nicolás Maduro, triggering a diplomatic dispute between Chile and Venezuela. Migrant settlements similar to the one in Maipú have emerged across Chile as the state struggles to assimilate a growing foreign-born population, which increased from 1.8 percent in 2013 to 13 percent in 2023. Claudio González, director of the University of Chile’s Citizen Security Studies Centre, noted that lack of access to education, healthcare, and employment for young migrants creates opportunities for crime groups. This has fueled anti-migrant sentiment among Chileans, although González emphasized that crime victims are mostly migrants. A government-affiliated volunteer highlighted that interventions in these communities are sporadic and fail to address undocumented migrants. The Tren de Aragua gang, described by Venezuelan journalist Ronna Rísquez as a fluid and less sophisticated group compared to more militarized cartels, engages in various criminal activities like assassinations and drug trafficking for other gangs. This rise in organized crime, coupled with conflicts involving indigenous groups in southern Chile, has thrust security to the forefront of political issues, impacting President Boric’s agenda. The government has responded by establishing crime units, launching national crime policies, and reforming laws. Chile is also preparing for its first mass trial of Tren de Aragua members, though the country still grapples with institutional corruption within its police force. Original Text by Ciara Nugent, publish in->FT

President Joe Biden announced an immediate halt to asylum processing at the U.S.-Mexico border when illegal entries surpass 2,500 per day, a significant policy change amid criticism from Republicans over rising new arrivals. With current entries at approximately 4,000 daily, this measure aims to curb large-scale immigration but has raised concerns among advocates about the safety of migrants and potential violations of international obligations. Legal challenges to the policy are expected. The measure would halt asylum processes until daily illegal crossing arrests drop below 1,500 for a consecutive week, a figure last seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike past restrictions under Title 42, denied asylum seekers will now face deportation orders, risking criminal prosecution and multi-year entry bans if they attempt to re-enter. Furthermore, migrants can express fears for their safety to U.S. asylum officers but under stricter standards than before. Questions remain about the logistical feasibility, as Mexico will only accept a limited number of non-Mexican deportees, and there are significant barriers to deporting migrants to distant countries. Unaccompanied children are exempt from these rules, potentially encouraging families to send minors alone. Mexico plays a crucial role in assisting the U.S. with immigration challenges. The U.S. faces difficulties deporting people to over 100 countries due to limited funding, diplomatic leverage, and logistical hurdles. A 1997 court ruling restricts the detention of families with children under 18 to 20 days, complicating efforts to deport them swiftly. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is also limited by funding, with resources to detain only about 34,000 single adults at a time. Mexico has agreed to accept up to 30,000 individuals monthly from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, but not from other countries. Additionally, Mexico has tightened measures to prevent migrants from reaching the U.S. border by limiting travel on freight trains and buses, which has resulted in many migrants being stranded in Mexican cities. Alicia Bárcena, Mexico’s foreign relations secretary, stated that the country would not permit more than 4,000 illegal entries daily. President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum is expected to maintain current policies. Previous efforts to deter asylum seekers under the Biden and Trump administrations had limited success due to resource constraints. A specific rule under the Immigration and Nationality Act used by both administrations has been contested by advocacy groups. Original Text by Elliot Spagat, published in -> Chapelboro.

Many Venezuelans, particularly the younger generation, consider leaving the country if Nicolás Maduro is re-elected, despite his promises of employment and advocacy for migrants. Previously, his government denied the migration crisis, with influential politicians like Diosdado Cabello dismissing it as a media fabrication. Maduro now acknowledges the issue as part of his re-election strategy, amid a disillusioned voter base. Despite this, his promises hold little credibility for many Venezuelans, who may choose to emigrate if he wins the election on July 28. There are currently an estimated 7.7 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees. Economic reasons primarily drive the intention to emigrate, with some hoping an opposition victory or economic improvement might keep them in the country. Emigration discussions permeate various social settings in Venezuela. The country’s crisis, worsened by declining oil prices, corruption, mismanagement, and economic sanctions, has pushed many into poverty and despair, leading to a significant exodus. Maduro has lashed out against media reports linking Venezuelan migrants to crimes and called for their return, stressing a message against xenophobia. The upcoming election remains pivotal as Maduro seeks to extend his term amid challenges from opposition leaders like María Corina Machado. The top court supported a decision blocking Machado’s candidacy, leading her coalition to back Edmundo González Urrutia. Though González is not widely recognized, Machado’s support boosts his appeal among voters. At his first rally, González urged voters to envision a country where children return home, highlighting his economic reform promises. Miguel Montilla, a retired serviceman, expressed hope that González’s leadership might reunite his family in Venezuela. If Maduro wins, Montilla considers encouraging his remaining child to leave the country. A Delphos poll indicated high emigration tendencies among young adults aged 18-34. Venezuelan officials earn insufficient wages to afford basic goods, prompting migration. Low salaries were cited by students considering emigration, despite aspirations like becoming engineers or business owners. Many students attended a government rally but refrained from publicly supporting Maduro, indicating economic need as a primary concern. Original Text by Regina García Cano, publish in-> AP

Durante la tercera Reunión Ministerial de la Declaración de Los Ángeles sobre Migración y Protección celebrada en la Ciudad de Guatemala, Estados Unidos anunció que proporcionaría casi 578 millones de dólares en asistencia humanitaria, económica y de desarrollo. Esta financiación tiene como objetivo ayudar a los países socios y las comunidades de acogida a responder a las necesidades humanitarias urgentes, ampliar las vías de migración legal y apoyar la regularización e integración de los migrantes. El monto incluye $459 millones para poblaciones vulnerables, incluidos migrantes, refugiados y personas desplazadas en toda la región, con casi $83 millones específicamente para las necesidades más urgentes de los venezolanos vulnerables. Debido a la actual inestabilidad política y económica en Venezuela, más de 7,7 millones de personas necesitan asistencia humanitaria y otros 7,7 millones de venezolanos han migrado o han sido desplazados por la fuerza. Se están proporcionando otros 376 millones de dólares a través del Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos para refugiados, solicitantes de asilo, desplazados internos, apátridas y migrantes vulnerables. Estos fondos entregarán ayuda alimentaria y nutricional de emergencia a los migrantes y refugiados venezolanos, y las poblaciones vulnerables en Venezuela también recibirán atención médica, ayuda alimentaria, agua, mejores servicios de saneamiento, educación sobre higiene y otros suministros que se necesitan con urgencia. Por último, junto con este total de $459 millones de asistencia humanitaria, USAID, junto con el Congreso, planea proporcionar casi $116 millones en asistencia económica, de salud y de desarrollo para apoyar la regularización y la integración socioeconómica de los migrantes en Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, Brasil, Belice, Costa Rica. Rica y Panamá, sujeto a disponibilidad de fondos. Estos fondos tienen como objetivo conectar a los migrantes con procesos de determinación de estatus legal y servicios de atención médica, educación, finanzas y capacitación y colocación laboral, y también brindar apoyo a las comunidades de acogida para permitir que los migrantes contribuyan rápidamente a sus nuevas comunidades. Texto Original -> DoS

Hace casi dos años, el presidente Biden emitió la Declaración de Los Ángeles sobre Migración y Protección, respaldada por 20 líderes de todo el hemisferio occidental. Este es el primer marco de este tipo que promueve una acción coordinada bajo tres pilares: (1) abordar las causas fundamentales y apoyar la integración de los migrantes para una estabilización a largo plazo; (2) ampliar las vías legales; (3) fortalecer la aplicación humanitaria de la ley. El 7 de mayo de 2024, Guatemala fue sede de la tercera reunión ministerial de la Declaración, donde participaron ministros de Relaciones Exteriores y altos representantes de 20 países firmantes. El secretario de Estado, Antony Blinken, encabezó la delegación estadounidense. Blinken también anunció 578 millones de dólares en ayuda humanitaria, económica y de desarrollo para ayudar a los países socios y las comunidades de acogida. Los países firmantes presentaron los avances que han logrado en iniciativas como fortalecer la aplicación de la ley de manera humanitaria, ampliar las vías legales para la migración y la protección y abordar las causas fundamentales y apoyar la integración de los migrantes para fomentar la estabilización a más largo plazo. Estados Unidos tomó medidas el 6 de mayo para imponer restricciones de visa a miembros ejecutivos de varias compañías navieras colombianas por facilitar la migración irregular a Estados Unidos. La cooperación entre Estados Unidos y Costa Rica se fortaleció con el establecimiento de un nuevo acuerdo de socios en el intercambio de datos biométricos. Además, Estados Unidos está desplegando recursos adicionales en Guatemala y aumentará el conocimiento público de la aplicación móvil CBP One. Además, en el contexto de la Declaración de Los Ángeles, Estados Unidos lidera el comité de acción contra la trata de personas y el tráfico de migrantes. Quienes cumplan con los requisitos para los permisos humanitarios temporales (paroles) para Cuba, Haití, Nicaragua y Venezuela (CHNV) pueden, una vez otorgado el permiso, solicitar autorización de trabajo y comenzar a trabajar de inmediato. USAID anunció nuevas iniciativas, como “Vecinos Laborales”, para aumentar el acceso a vías legales de empleo temporal para nuevos países de origen y destino de migrantes. Por último, los firmantes reafirmaron su compromiso de abordar las razones subyacentes de la migración con compromisos de varios países para luchar contra la trata de personas y la migración irregular. Texto Original -> Diario de Tijuana

An increase in migrants from countries without diplomatic ties to the United States has aggravated an already difficult challenge at the U.S. southern border, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in an interview. By Matias J Ocner and Whitney Shefte. Full Video -> MiamiHerald

W5 goes deep into one of the most dangerous migrant routes to expose how the Gulf Clan cartel is profiting from desperate migrants. Watch Video -> CTV

El 68% de los migrantes que cruzan el Darién son venezolanos-> DiarioLasAmericas

An exodus of nearly 8 million Venezuelan migrants who have fled poverty and political turmoil is boosting the economies of other countries across South America, two studies published by leading international financial institutions have found. The foreign workforce will lift the economies of their main host nations in Latin America and the Caribbean by 0.10-0.25% on average each year from 2017 until 2030, according to the research. By Luke Taylor. Full Text -> TheGuardian

Venezuela has followed through on a threat to stop accepting flights of migrants deported from the U.S. and Mexico, people familiar with the measures say, adding pressure on President Biden as a surge in illegal migration becomes a key issue in this year’s presidential election.President Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian regime introduced the measure after Washington reimposed some of the economic sanctions it had previously lifted on Venezuela. The U.S. said that Caracas has failed to live up to the loose pledges it made to restore the democratic order and move toward holding fair presidential elections. Venezuela has also asserted a claim to a resource-rich region of neighboring Guyana, drawing further warnings from the U.S.By Kejal Vyas and Santiago Pérez. Full Text -> WSJ