"What better way to rally a country that's flat on its back than to expose an invasion from the empire?" said AS/COA's Eric Farnsworth to The Washington Post.
Advocates on the ground say the pandemic is leaving migrants vulnerable not just to infection, but to xenophobia and hunger too.
Experts joined AS/COA's Brian Winter for a panel about how Venezuelan migrants are managing under COVID-19, as Americas Quarterly launches its new issue on migration in the Americas.
"What is happening in Venezuela risks rapidly spilling over into its neighboring countries," co-writes AS/COA Chairman Emeritus William R. Rhodes for Reuters Breakingviews.
With limited access to public services and health care, Venezuelan refugees will suffer. A regional response is needed.
Under the Betancourt Doctrine, Venezuela became a refuge for Latin Americans fleeing dictatorship.
Measles, tuberculosis and other diseases have made a comeback and are threatening migrants.
