Venezuelans Fleeing Maduro and Trump’s TPS End Seek Refuge in Spain Amid 7.8 Million Migrants and European Far-Right Rise

Venezuelans fleeing crises under Nicolás Maduro and recent changes in U.S. immigration policy are increasingly seeking refuge in Spain after perilous journeys. The Trump administration's efforts to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans in the United States have contributed to this migration shift, pushing many to look for stability in Europe. Over the past decade, approximately 7.8 million Venezuelans have left their country, with 2.8 million residing in Colombia. Migrants face challenges such as repeated attempts to cross borders, including being stopped and sent back by Mexican authorities following stricter enforcement initiated in January 2024 under pressure from the Biden administration on Mexico's government. This migration trend occurs amid a broader rise of populist and far-right movements across Europe, which have gained momentum since the 2015 migrant crisis and are reportedly encouraged by elements within the U.S. government. Some Venezuelan migrants, after arduous journeys including crossing the Darien Gap, are considering alternative destinations such as Canada or Spain or contemplating remaining in Mexico due to difficulties in reaching the U.S.