The two sides of the Venezuelan currency that travel to Cúcuta.

The fact of being able to cross the border is not always synonymous with a new life, but that does not stop those who want to improve their situation.

After taking three buses and traveling more than 12 hours from the terminal of La Bandera, in Caracas, to San Antonio del Táchira, where the border with Colombia is located, the uncertainty that María José Sojo had during the trip was reduced to ashes.

Although she did not know the town, hardly the locals saw her with their suitcases in hand, they immediately pointed out the path that she had to follow to reach the Simón Bolívar international bridge and complete her journey to Cúcuta, a municipality that is the capital of the department. of the North of Santander, where it was in search of products of hygiene, those that there copan the shelves, but that in the capital shine by his absence.

"On the right, citizen", "stop a moment" or "still there, minor", typical calls made by the police and the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) in Venezuela when asking citizens to stop to review them, They did not listen when I crossed the bridge. Nor some more decent warning with a Colombian accent.

Silence. Only the noise of the river water, the soles of the shoes crashing against the ground and the occasional whisper penetrates the ears as step by step leaves behind their country. The scene also did not change when it was already in Colombia.

"They did not ask me for a certificate, papers or passport. They did not even ask me where I was going, "Sojo recalled in a statement to us.

Throughout her stay, for a couple of weeks in June 2017, she was staying with other companions in a house, where they slept and cooked their food. And everything was facilitated thanks to the help of strangers who treated them in the best way.

"There were cucuteños who acted in good faith and in the markets they gave us more onions or potatoes than we asked for, without charging us the difference," he said.

And not only did he receive support from those who came across him, but he was also able to stock up on the goods to return home after an experience that was merely rewarding.

Not exempt from xenophobia

Not all of them suffer the same fate. At the beginning of the year the experience of José * was diametrically opposed to that of María José. The boy could not even enter Cúcuta regularly, as most passers-by do.

"I had to cross the river under the bridge," he said, who shortly after walking the viaduct was intercepted by a Colombian Migration official who ordered him to return to Venezuela.

But the young man was reluctant to comply with the ruling, because like thousands of compatriots, he left behind the comfort of his home with the goal of settling in Cúcuta looking for a better life.

He was not alone but he came to a house where he had to pay the rent along with other companions. To make a living, he sold water and juices, like his compatriots, in streets, squares and parks in Colombia.

"I was able to survive. With 10,000 pesos I was assured three meals a day in executive menu restaurants, "he explained.

He explained that for each bottle of water dispensed he got 500 pesos, so 20 units guaranteed that his stomach would not creak.

Although she earned her living thanks to her work and even received sporadic donations from the locals, it was not all pink. As some Colombians helped him, others did not think twice to apply his xenophobia against him.

"I was walking and they were watching me. They were put on alert. I felt discriminated against, "he lashed out.

In the same vein, Sojo said that several of his colleagues, in stores and supermarkets, asked them to step aside to check if they had not stolen merchandise.

Poverty exporters

Emigrating without a plan with specific objectives or with sufficient funds to survive while looking for a job has its risks. Even more so when you do not carry a suitcase in your hands or a project in your head.

During his stay Sojo witnessed different precarious situations carried out by his compatriots.

"The peddlers abound: they sell anything to survive. And prostitutes spend the day in the squares looking for customers. It's depressing, "he lamented.

Many of the people, who arrive at Cúcuta even on the brink of indigence, spend the nights sleeping in public squares and parks, affecting, of course, the daily life of the locals, generating reactions as varied as the hardships suffered by those who, for One or the other reason, they seek to alleviate the hardships that their country, under the government of Nicolás Maduro, causes them.

José seconded: "You see a lot of poverty. Venezuelans ask for money and there are many women with children on the streets. "

He stressed the difficulties that some suffer to meet their needs and send their children to schools, although some provide free education, it is difficult to cover all expenses.

He said it from the tribune of the experience, because he could not "escape" from socialism, but had to return for not having had his papers in order.

Of course, did not doubt that the main responsible for the contingency that has been submitted to Cúcuta is due to the management of Maduro.

"There are people who have their own home in Venezuela but prefer to leave it betting to live better," he said, to send a warning: "It is not easy to emigrate and you have to go prepared."

And he pleaded for a change in the country so that the situation can be fixed in a definitive way. "There is no evil that lasts 1000 years."

* José is a fictitious name to protect the identity of the interviewee.

Thank you for reading!

I hope you have enjoyed my interviewee about Venezuelan inmigration and I hope I have added some paint to your image of Cúcuta.

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