Death of Venezuelan Girl in Colombia Highlights Plight of LGBT Migrants

The tragic death of an 8-year-old Venezuelan girl found dead in Colombia after going missing has brought renewed attention to the vulnerability of migrant children, particularly those from the LGBT community. The incident is part of a larger crisis, with Venezuela's political, social, and economic instability driving a complex migratory phenomenon that affects not only Venezuela but also the areas to which Venezuelans are moving.

The plight of LGBT migrants highlights the need for receiving countries to implement targeted measures to protect and support vulnerable populations, and underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of migration, including political and economic instability. As the Venezuelan crisis continues to drive migration, the fate of LGBT migrants serves as a bellwether for the region's ability to respond to humanitarian crises.

LGBT migrants face increased violence and discrimination, according to a report by the NGO Caribe Afirmativo. Based on testimonies from Venezuelan migrants living in Colombia, the report found that LGBT people, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and intersex individuals, are victims of not only xenophobia but also mistreatment due to their sexual orientation or gender expressions. "The biggest concern is in the high level of crime against LGBT people of Venezuelan origin. Xenophobia is combining with prejudices against gender identity,"double, risk, migrants, crossingsaid Wilson Castañeda, head of Caribe Afirmativo.

Why this matters: The report revealed that LGBT migrants are vulnerable to various forms of violence from state, paramilitary, or social forces and have been excluded from their families in many cases. Specific challenges faced by LGBT migrants include irregular migration, which means they lack access to legal protections and are more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. The absence of supplementary legal provisions to protect migrants in conditions of illegality is particularly relevant for the LGBT population, as historical discriminations mean many have found themselves opting to migrate by irregular means.

Health and access to medicines, particularly for HIV treatment, are significant concerns for LGBT migrants. The report counted the deaths of seven gay Venezuelan men in the Caribbean region in 2018 due to lack of access to anti-retroviral drugs. Caribe Afirmativo is urging the Colombian state to establish specific protocols to attend to this segment of Venezuelan migrants, including identification of the routes they use to arrive in Colombia, particular transit mechanisms, and the risks they face. The NGO is calling for immediate actions to attend to the more vulnerable elements, such as sex workers, and to address the elevated level of criminality against LGBT people of Venezuelan origin.

The death of the 8-year-old Venezuelan girl in Colombia serves as a stark reminder of the heightened risks and vulnerabilities faced by migrant children, especially those from the LGBT community. As Venezuela's crisis continues to drive migration, it is crucial for receiving countries like Colombia to implement targeted measures to protect and support this particularly vulnerable population.

Key Takeaways

• Venezuelan migrant children, especially LGBT, face increased risks and vulnerabilities.
• LGBT migrants experience violence, discrimination, and exclusion due to xenophobia and prejudices.
• Irregular migration leaves LGBT migrants without legal protections, making them more vulnerable to exploitation.
• LGBT migrants struggle to access health services, including HIV treatment, leading to preventable deaths.
• Receiving countries must implement targeted measures to protect and support vulnerable LGBT migrant populations.