Colombians leaving Venezuela for better prospects in home country

World Today

Colombians leaving Venezuela for better prospects in home country

For decades, millions of Colombians have chosen to live in Venezuela, believing their prospects were likely to be better in the oil rich nation than in their home country. But now the economic crisis in Venezuela, and hopes for peace in Colombia, is leading many to reconsider.

CCTV America’s Stephen Gibbs reports from Caracas.

The border between Colombian and Venezuela has for decades been an indicator of the relative economic prosperity of the two neighbors.

Once Colombians crossed in their thousands, seeking a better life in Venezuela.

Now the traffic is mostly the other way.

Back in Caracas, Lliana, a Colombian, is also thinking of giving up on Venezuela.

She came to the country a decade ago, hopeful she’d make a good living making shoes and clothes, and as a hairdresser.

Unfortunately, just the sort of things people cut back on, when money is tight.

“Before people used to come to the hairdresser twice a week, not any more. Now they come once every 15 days,” Lliana said.

There’s a shortage of everything here, she said.

Millions of Colombians once saw Venezuela as a land of opportunity. Now many are leaving, trying to find a way, to go home.