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Dominicans in Venezuela
A special tie exists between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela: Juan
Pablo Duarte. The founder of the Dominican Republic was forced into exile
in the land of Bolívar, ending his days there after 30 years of
life in Venezuela. He is the symbol of a tradition that has united both
countries as many individuals and political activists had to, in their
time, follow the course taken by the Father. This pattern of exile is
seen particularly during years of political oppression and dictatorship.
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In the 1970's, Dominican emigration to Venezuela was primarily
economically motivated. The oil boom in Venezuela and a recession on the
island due to a decrease in the price of sugar on international markets
combined to result in emigration from the Dominican Republic. The Dominican
community in Venezuela, which had not surpassed 2,000 legal residents,
grew to 17,469 legal residents in 1981. The vast majority of those emigrating
from the Dominican Republic at this time would be considered humble peasants.
Although migratory flows from the DR to Venezuela have lessened
since this time, currently certain figures indicate that some 100,000
Dominicans are resident in Venezuela. Dominicans make up the most numerous
community of Caribbean descent in this South American nation.
Women and young people of very limited resources and from
rural areas make up the majority of Dominican immigrants to Venezuela.
Generally, they work as laborers, domestic workers, and hairdressers.
Prostitution is also a source of employment for some. In recent years,
as opposed to groups of other nationalities, Dominicans show a great tendency
towards their homeland, interspersing temporary stopovers in both countries.
According to data from the year 2000, Dominicans are the Caribbean immigrants
who most often opt to naturalize as Venezuelans.
Source: "Diagnostic of Caribbean Migrations to Venezuela",
International Organization Migration (IOM), Buenos Aires,
2000.
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