The Venezuelan Migrant Population’s Right to Health in the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area

Abstract

Colombia has received the largest influx of Venezuelan refugees and migrants. Since 2015, more than 3 million Venezuelan migrants have entered the country. Those arriving in Cúcuta have several options for entering Colombian territory. One of the main routes involves a difficult and dangerous journey of nearly 200 km to the Metropolitan Area of Bucaramanga, which serves as a key territory for accessing various destinations. Because of its geographical location, this area serves as an important transit city, facilitating travel to other major cities in Colombia, such as Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali; it is also a residence destination for Venezuelan migrants. Among the specific reasons why immigrants choose Bucaramanga over other cities are factors like climate, the existence of various cooperation organizations that provide assistance, and the considerable number of migrant individuals previously settled in this area; thus, many new migrants have family or friendship connections there. Furthermore, for many, it is the safest option or the only place they can go to when the weather turns cold. In this study, we analyze the institutional response and identify barriers that limit the protection of Venezuelan migrants’ right to access to healthcare in this location where Venezuelan citizens have faced economic, legal, bureaucratic, and social barriers. This has profound consequences for migrants’ health and poses a risk to their lives. The article is primarily based on interviews and fieldwork conducted with migrant populations between 2022 and 2023 to identify the barriers and supporting elements they experienced in terms of health care services. Likewise, this study makes a significant contribution by directly examining the experiences of Venezuelan migrants in relation to the right to health in this area. This provides a useful understanding of the social phenomenon at both the academic and institutional levels.