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An interesting aspect of President Duque's decision to grant protection or "TPS" to 1.8 million Venezuelan migrants: Most of #Colombia's people are probably AGAINST it. In January gallup poll 68% of Colombians said they have an "unfavorable" opinion of VEN migrants (Thread)
When asked if the border with Venezuela should remain shut, even after the COVID emergency is over, so that "no more venezulans can arrive in Colombia" 72% said they were in favor of that proposal.
Duque might be doing "the right thing" by legalizing one million undocumented Venezuelans and granting the rest permission to stay for 10 years. But it will not go down well domestically. He has been praised abroad for taking this move though, by the UN, US State Dept, EU, etc.
Curiously this puts Duque in a similar position to his predecesor Juan Manuel Santos, who was unpopular at home for pursuing a peace deal with the FARC rebels, but very popular abroad for doing this. Santos won the Nobel Peace Prize, wonder if Duque will get anything?
In any case Duque will go down in history as a "protector" of migrants and refugees. This might be the most enduring legacy of his government which otherwise hasn't been remarkable and has been focused on putting out the COVID emergency. #Colombia
