Advances in Science

Thank you, Lord, for these open doors. May they never close under any circumstances.” This is how Gabriel García Márquez’s speech ended on October 22, 1982, after receiving the Order of the Aztec Eagle in Mexico City, a distinction created to honor foreigners who have taken prominent actions to support the Mexican community or humanity in general. García Márquez thanked the country that welcomed him so many times over the course of his life in different circumstances and always with open arms.

The Colombian government has opened one of those doors with the creation of the Estatuto de Protección Temporal para Migrantes Venezolanos (Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan Migrants, ETPV by the acronym in Spanish), which will offer legal protection to migrants, access to rights, and an opportunity to plan a personal future. The decision has been described as generous by governments and international associations, as it is the first major step toward the integration of this population into the social, political, cultural, and economic fabric of Colombia. But, more importantly, it is the first step to allow Venezuelan migrants to enjoy and exercise their rights.

The integration of the migrant population is the next great challenge that all Colombians must face since its success depends not only on local authorities. Based on data from the Study of Perception of Migrants in Colombia, carried out by the Universidad del Rosario, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Time, 62 percent of the Venezuelan migrants who are in Colombia want to stay in the country and around 50 percent have already begun to apply for the Statute.

In this issue of Advences in Science, we have two articles that address the phenomenon from very different, but complementary and necessary, perspectives to understand the mark left by migrants and how critical it is that we receive and integrate them. The research from Professor Julia Seithner at the Faculty of Economics will tell us about the impact that migration has in their countries of origin. The research coordinated by the director of the Human Rights Research Group of the Faculty of Law, María Teresa Palacios, describes a series of good practices carried out in various Latin American countries, which can help us to prepare for the reception, management, and integration of migrants.

Notably, the humanitarian crisis in the neighboring country is far from over. Furthermore, 72 percent of those surveyed say they do not want to return to Venezuela. Despite the reopening of the borders and the economic respite Venezuela is experiencing this year, there is no reason to believe that the economic and social situation in the country will change in the near future. Thousands of Venezuelans continue to leave their country and many more remain in transit to their destination. We cannot avoid this reality and must support all efforts for management and integration.

In his speech to the Mexican authorities, García Márquez respectfully pointed out the obvious that he cannot represent anyone and that he is not a so-called typical immigrant. Neither he nor the small percentage of migrants from all over the world who have found those doors open can, since there are millions who still find them tightly shut. But their plea is a common denominator for all. Many continue walking, resisting, and most likely praying to find those open arms that will allow them to live with dignity.