Development: On 12 February, Brazil’s President Michel Temer travelled to Roraima with a team of ministers and agreed to send federal resources and a task force to the northern state which is grappling with an influx of immigrants from Venezuela.
Significance: Until recently, the humanitarian crisis in Roraima had been seen as a local state problem. But as Venezuelan immigrants begin to spread to other parts of the country, it is fast becoming a national issue, forcing the Temer government to take action. The idea is not to set up a hard border with Venezuela but to streamline the flow of immigrants into Brazil, Temer explained.
- During a meeting in Roraima’s capital, Boa Vista, Temer confirmed he would transfer additional federal funds to control immigration. He described the situation at the Brazilian border as “worrying,” but underscored Brazil’s diplomatic obligation to help Venezuelan immigrants. His comments come after Colombia recently strengthened its border controls and agreed to give humanitarian aid to Venezuela.
- Currently, there are around 40,000 Venezuelans living in Boa Vista - or 10% of the total population. Local authorities are struggling to cope and have called on the federal government to set up more clinics and refugee camps to accommodate them, and then to set up a programme to transfer the immigrants to other states.
- These measures were discussed during a visit to Roraima on 8 February by social Development Minister Osmar Terra, Justice Minister Torquato Jardim, Defence Minister Raul Jungmann, and the secretary of institutional security, Sérgio Etchegoyen. Afterwards, Jungmann also agreed to double the amount of troops sent to Brazil’s border.
- As immigration increases, more xenophobic attacks against Venezuelans have been reported in Roraima. Last week, two houses where Venezuelans were living were torched. Five people were injured including a three-year old girl.
Looking Ahead: Temer will publish an emergency decree outlining the government’s immigration strategy later this week.