BOGOTA, Colombia _ Latin American countries are straining to cope with an influx of Venezuelan immigrants, a tide of humanity that is expected to increase in 2019 as the troubled socialist government of Nicolas Maduro clings to power.
Experts now estimate that more than 4 million Venezuelans, or more than 10 percent of the population, have left their native land since Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chavez, took power in 1999. Most of the migrants have settled at least temporarily in neighboring South American countries.
Venezuelans are fleeing a country in the midst of social and economic collapse. "So much there is simply broken," said Jeffrey Davidow, a former U.S. ambassador to Venezuela.
Worsening conditions _ hunger, hyperinflation and violent crime _ have pushed the rate of departures higher in recent months. At least 1 million people are thought to have left since November and several receptor nations, including Argentina and Ecuador, report that arrivals doubled in 2018 compared with 2017.
Some nations have extended the welcome mat in sympathy for Venezuelans as victims of a dictatorial and inept government. But others report increasing resentment directed at the newcomers because of their effect on the job market, higher cost of living and perceived criminal activity.
Many Venezuelans say they doubt that they will return to Venezuela anytime soon, even if Maduro leaves office and self-declared interim President Juan Guaido or another opposition politician wins a presidential election and begins the economic recovery process.
"Of course I'm watching what happens in my country with hope and expectation," said Eliney Perez, 34, an environmental engineering attorney from Venezuela who now helps manage a messenger service in Argentina. "But I have to think of my family ... . Emerging from the chaos will take years."
Here is a country-by-country look at the Venezuelan diaspora:
