The Venezuelan opposition, allied with Juan Guaido, reminded today, on World Refugee Day, of the “need for protection” of more than 5.36 million Venezuelans who have fled the country in recent years to escape the political, economic and social crisis.
“Today is World Refugee Day. Never thought that it would be celebrated with the citizens of Venezuela (…). We are a country outside a country, ”wrote David Smolansky, representative of opposition leader Juan Guaidó to the Organization of American States, on his official Twitter account.
Smolansky recalled that there are “5.36 million expelled by the dictatorship who deserve protection, education, access to vaccines and labor integration.”
He also recalled that the celebration of World Refugee Day coincides with the celebration of Father’s Day in Venezuela.
“I congratulate everyone, especially those who have far away children. Thousands of Venezuelan parents, shipwrecked travelers and outcasts who risked everything to feed and give a second [pátria] children, ”he wrote.
Juan Guaido also used Twitter to warn of the severity of the Venezuelan migration crisis: “It is currently the most serious in the world because of its duration and impact.”
“Migration has not been an easy decision for over 5.36 million Venezuelans. The return to democracy in Venezuela will be the return of our people, ”he said.
Opposition Special Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Miguel Pizarro, UN spokesman, recalled that millions of Venezuelans were “forced” to leave their country.
“On World Refugee Day, in addition to the strength of all refugees around the world, I celebrate the courage of the millions of Venezuelans who continue to pursue their dreams every day, wherever they are, despite having to leave their lives in your country. “, – he also wrote on Twitter.
The opponent stressed that he confirms “the need for their protection” and the availability of the necessary tools “to ensure the quality of life, access to health, food, education, work, housing, public services and safety.”
According to the opposition, 5,363,986 Venezuelans have fled their country since 2015, fleeing the political, economic and social crisis.
On Thursday 17 June, the International Conference of Donors (ICD) was held digitally in solidarity with Venezuelan migrants and refugees, convened by Canada.
Countries participating in the CID have pledged to provide Venezuelans with $ 1.554 million (€ 1306 million), $ 954 million (€ 801.5 million) in donations and $ 600 million (€ 504.5 million) in loans.
Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and the United States have pledged to grant “temporary protection” status to Venezuelan migrants and refugees in these countries.
The Venezuelan government, for its part, classified the actions of the CID as a “media farce”, anti-Venezuelan propaganda and questioned the purpose of the funds raised.
Caracas accused “Spain, Canada, the European Union and UN agencies” of “cynical reading of the situation” of Venezuelan migrants, “frighteningly missing” the reasons related to the imposition of a criminal blockade through illegal sanctions.
He also pointed to “situations of discrimination and exploitation” of Venezuelans in the Americas “in front of the lazy gaze of governments that, far from guaranteeing human rights, tolerate and even encourage xenophobic demonstrations.”
The crisis in Venezuela has escalated since January 2019, when the chairman of parliament, an opponent of Juan Guaido, publicly vowed to assume the functions of interim president until President Nicolas Maduro was removed from power, called for a transitional government and free and democratic institutions. in the country.
