The Venezuela crisis could produce more refugees than Syria. Here is how the U.S. can prepare

[TomSea]

The Venezuela crisis could produce more refugees than Syria. Here is how the U.S. can prepare | Opinion
Morena Baccarin On 1/24/19

Venezuela used to be one of the richest economies not only in the region, but in the entire world. By now, however, more than 3 million have been reduced to leaving the country, as unparalleled economic crisis brings healthcare, education, and all other basic services to their knees. Living standards are so dramatically depressed those of the US Great Depression pale in comparison. All this has already happened—even with no armed conflict taking place. It’s difficult to imagine how much worse this socioeconomic disaster of unprecedented magnitude will get if the currently ongoing escalation erupts into civil strife.

Here is where Venezuela stands as the calamitous political situation enters the most dramatic political spiral since the death of Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chavez. As many as 40,000 Venezuelans the Simon Bolivar bridge to Colombia every day, to access basic services and goods. Some 5,000 of them do not return - and already this number has jumped up with the renewed protests and increased political turmoil. Venezuelans who have already endured years of immiseration are beyond the breaking point. The forecasts for 2019 paint an even more worrying picture: as inflation in Venezuela is expected to reach an inconceivable 10 million percent, the UN has estimated that over 5 million refugees will be displaced, with 2 million expected in Colombia alone - eclipsing even the Syrian refugee crisis. It's time we take this seriously.

While in Cucuta, Colombia, with the International Rescue Committee, I had a chance to hear these human stories first-hand. I expected to be moved by them, but to feel powerless to help. This trip changed that. After all, Venezuelans looking for a better life do not look the part of the desperate refugee fleeing a war-torn country. They look just like you and me.

Read more at: https://www.newsweek.com/venezuela-crisis-maduro-refugees-colombia-rubio-menendez-1303396

Humanitarian view, I hope though, the author is not talking about them coming here as in the US. Yes, we should try to help these people out with aid.

[Smokin Joe]

We were helping these people out. Our oil companies were helping develop the largest single oil reserves on the planet. American tools, technology, and expertise were at the forefront of those efforts, and yes, those companies were making a profit. Before Socialism, the arrangement was mutually beneficial, for the oil companies, to be sure, but also for Venezuelans.

When a Socialist Venezuela nationalized its oil, declared previous deals were no longer in effect, and took a much larger cut, the oil companies left. Americans stopped going there, stopped working there, and the oil production dropped significantly--and with it, oil revenue.

Like Maggie Thatcher said, "...sooner or later you run out of other people's money.", but in this case Socialist mismanagement of the resources and government policy killed the Golden Goose.

Even now, that resource remains. Perhaps when Venezuela gets its government on a rational keel and fosters a business environment which encourages investment the nation will not be so poor. Until then, Venezuelans need to work to bring that better government about. It seems even their neighbors are willing to help, but at what price?