THE VENEZUELAN MIGRATION PHENOMENON: CONTEXTS AND UNDERLYING MOTIVATIONS; A CASE STUDY OF SOBRAL, BRAZIL

Abstract

Contemporary migrations are driven by multiple factors, especially political and religious motivations, internal conflicts, and wars. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM, 2022), the global migrant population grew from 84 million in 1970 to 281 million in 2020. In Brazil, the state of Roraima has become the main gateway for Venezuelan migrants. Data from the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V) indicate that, by 2024, approximately 568,058 Venezuelans had entered the country. This study analyzes the causes of Venezuelan family migration and the routes used to reach Brazil through a qualitative and exploratory approach, including literature review, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and content analysis. Most migrants originate from Carabobo, Monagas, and Anzoátegui, traveling between 600 and 1,200 km to reach Roraima. The main drivers of migration are socio-economic, including economic crisis, high living costs, unemployment, precarious public services, and food and health insecurity. Many migrants temporarily settle in cities such as Pacaraima, Boa Vista, Belém, Teresina, Brasília, and Fortaleza, where they access shelters and informal work. The findings suggest that Venezuelan migration to Brazil results from the violation of fundamental rights, characterizing a forced migration process shaped by structural vulnerability.