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Spaniards or Spanish people in
Venezuela Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in ...
, are persons of fully Spanish or Iberian ancestry or those who have the Spanish Citizenship and are residing in Venezuela. Most of Spaniards in Venezuela are in Venezuela because of Spanish immigration to Venezuela,
Spanish Civil War The Spanish Civil War ( es, Guerra Civil Española)) or The Revolution ( es, La Revolución, link=no) among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War ( es, Cuarta Guerra Carlista, link=no) among Carlism, Carlists, and The Rebellion ( es, La Rebeli ...
, Business, Related people and another circunstancies. However, the great wave of Spaniards occurred in the 19th century, the first time Spanish exiles arrived for political reasons after the
Spanish Civil War The Spanish Civil War ( es, Guerra Civil Española)) or The Revolution ( es, La Revolución, link=no) among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War ( es, Cuarta Guerra Carlista, link=no) among Carlism, Carlists, and The Rebellion ( es, La Rebeli ...
, and the second was the largest since the late 1950s. The forties and throughout the fifties were driven by the severe economic difficulties
Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' ( Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , ...
experienced in those years. The latest figures recorded by Spanish consulates show 207,692 registered Spaniards. But the true immigrant figure is estimated to be higher because many Spaniards have not renewed their documents or have lost their
citizenship Citizenship is a "relationship between an individual and a state to which the individual owes allegiance and in turn is entitled to its protection". Each state determines the conditions under which it will recognize persons as its citizens, and ...
and have not yet decided to regain it.


History

During the 19th century, various immigration plans had been projected in Venezuela that had little impact despite the efforts made to that end. The situation changed substantially starting in 1936 when interest in promoting immigration grew, as recognized by President
Eleazar López Contreras José Eleazar López Contreras (5 May 1883 – 2 January 1973) was the president of Venezuela between 1935 and 1941. He was an army general and one of Juan Vicente Gómez's collaborators, serving as his War Minister from 1931. In 1939, López C ...
when he raised the urgent need to populate the Venezuelan territory, for which the contribution of immigrants who could contribute to the prosperity of the country. Precisely in that same year, the
Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government polic ...
broke out in
Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' ( Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , ...
, which led to the emigration of thousands of people who sought refuge in the Americas, fleeing the atrocities of the
Franco Franco may refer to: Name * Franco (name) * Francisco Franco (1892–1975), Spanish general and dictator of Spain from 1939 to 1975 * Franco Luambo (1938–1989), Congolese musician, the "Grand Maître" Prefix * Franco, a prefix used when ...
regime. This was the first wave of Spanish immigrants whose motivations for leaving their land were political. The second wave was recorded from 1948 and was more due to economic problems due to the hardships that the population was going through, as a consequence of the devastation caused by the
Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government polic ...
. Since 1939, an increasingly large community of Spanish immigrants began to enter Venezuela, initially occupying in most cases low-skill jobs, to later move up in their jobs, or venture to create businesses on their own. many of which would become in the course of a few years successful companies that have represented a significant contribution to the advancement of the Venezuelan economy. Reconstructing the insertion process of Spanish immigrants in
Venezuela Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in ...
is the objective of this article in which immigration promotion policies are analyzed since the second half of the 1930s and the development of agricultural colonies and other economic activities. Finally, reference is made to a series of representative cases of this migratory flow that allows outlining a significant dimension of business history in Venezuela.


Early Immigration

Tragic events rocked the European scene in the course of the 1930s. Added to the deep economic depression was the impetuous advance of totalitarian tendencies whose clearest expression was found in
fascism Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian, ultra-nationalist political ideology and movement,: "extreme militaristic nationalism, contempt for electoral democracy and political and cultural liberalism, a belief in natural social hierarchy and th ...
and
Nazism Nazism ( ; german: Nazismus), the common name in English for National Socialism (german: Nationalsozialismus, ), is the far-right totalitarian political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in ...
. Likewise, the
Soviet Union The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, ...
was in the process of becoming a hegemonic power in Eastern Europe, and intended to extend its range of action to the Western world. These political currents fed and sharpened the rivalries and conflicts that arose in Spain as a result of the establishment of the Republic, a context in which the political agitation was gaining more intensity day after day until it led to the
Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government polic ...
that broke out in 1936, at the end of which he enthroned a dictatorial regime that remained in power for more than three decades. In addition to the material destruction as a result of the conflict and the obstacles to rebuilding the Spanish economy due to World War II, in the postwar years the decision of the European nations and the United States to declare a blockade against that nation was added. that it was subjected to
Franco Franco may refer to: Name * Franco (name) * Francisco Franco (1892–1975), Spanish general and dictator of Spain from 1939 to 1975 * Franco Luambo (1938–1989), Congolese musician, the "Grand Maître" Prefix * Franco, a prefix used when ...
's tyranny. The consequence was the aggravation of scarcity and misery, which pushed thousands and thousands of Spaniards to seek new horizons to start their lives over. At that time, the Americas offered many possibilities for that population that yearned to obtain a productive job and consolidate family ties. Meanwhile, Venezuela was in full political transition after the conclusion of 27 years of the dictatorship of
Juan Vicente Gómez Juan Vicente Gómez Chacón (24 July 1857 – 17 December 1935) was a Venezuelan military general, Politician and ruler of Venezuela from 1908 until his death in 1935. He was president on three occasions during this time, ruling through puppe ...
. In the midst of this environment in which the air of renewal was breathed, projects aimed at the development of agriculture and industry began to be designed with a view to materialising economic and institutional modernisation. The greatest concern of Alberto Adriani, in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in the first months of 1936 and later of the Treasury office, was aimed at achieving the expansion of agriculture and the entry of immigrants to undertake productive work in the country. In this vast territory it was necessary to have a suitable workforce to engage in agriculture. An important milestone was the creation in 1936 of the Mendoza agricultural colony, located near Ocumare del Tuy ( Miranda), where around 30 Spanish families stayed the following year. Arturo Uslar Pietri described the issue of immigration as crucial if agriculture was to be promoted, which was in a state of prostration as a consequence of the effects of the Great Depression and also of structural deficiencies originating mostly from problems originating from the previous century. In Uslar's opinion, Venezuela had a small population in a vast area and, as an aggravating circumstance, it lacked communication routes, its market was narrow and the workforce was insufficient. Therefore, the promotion of immigration required precise plans to define the way in which this population would be attracted and its progressive integration into national life. One priority was to organize small agricultural farms, an initiative that would be very useful for the creation of "permanent" wealth that could replace the central role of oil in the future. The immigration programs had to be part of a vast plan to transform the national economy that required a study and selection of the most appropriate type of immigration and the preparation of an inventory of areas and lands suitable for agriculture, soil conditions, the weather, markets and possible crops. Another highly relevant aspect was linked to the integration of immigrants, for which purpose it was necessary to provide for their provisional residence in a hotel, to later transfer them to agricultural colonies and ensure the provision of implements, seeds, land, housing, technical assistance and credit help. All these points were raised by Arturo Uslar Pietri as part of his famous idea of "sowing oil".


Distribution

Within the framework of the plans drawn up from 1936, important institutional reforms took place. On 26 August 1938, the foundation of the Technical Institute for Immigration and Colonization (ITIC) was decreed, directed between March and July 1939 by Arturo Uslar Pietri. In the decree of creation of the ITIC it was indicated that its mission consisted of the implantation of agricultural colonies by means of the acquisition of lands of private property in determined regions. For this purpose, the Institute had to design a general colonization plan guaranteeing maximum efficiency in the exploitation and division of the available land, with the objective of obtaining high yields taking into account the soil conditions, the working capacity of the families there settled and the capital that they could possess or obtain. In 1937, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock bought 2,800 hectares in the Chirgua Valley (
Carabobo , anthem = ''Carabobo State Anthem, Himno del Estado Carabobo'' , image_map = Carabobo in Venezuela.svg , map_alt = , map_caption = Location within Venezuela , pushpin_map ...
) that would be used to form a model colony. The site had a long tradition, since it had belonged to a family related to
Simón Bolívar Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios (24 July 1783 – 17 December 1830) was a Venezuelan military and political leader who led what are currently the countries of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and ...
. There existed in colonial times a cane farm with a sugar mill, which in later decades was occupied by a coffee farm. The colony began with the construction of 100 houses and the installation of the corresponding basic services. In 1938, the selection of 75
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and
Danish Danish may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the country of Denmark People * A national or citizen of Denmark, also called a "Dane," see Demographics of Denmark * Culture of Denmark * Danish people or Danes, people with a Danish ance ...
families was carried out, of which only 48 families of the latter nationality arrived, although between March and June of the following year the majority of the inhabitants of that origin were re-embarked to their country of origin. At the beginning of the 1940s, around 350 people lived in said colony, grouped into 35 Spanish families, 20
Venezuelans Venezuelans ( Spanish: ''venezolanos'') are the citizens identified with the country of Venezuela. This connection may be through citizenship, descent or cultural. For most Venezuelans, many or all of these connections exist and are the source o ...
, 8
Danish Danish may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the country of Denmark People * A national or citizen of Denmark, also called a "Dane," see Demographics of Denmark * Culture of Denmark * Danish people or Danes, people with a Danish ance ...
, 4
Portuguese Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language ** Port ...
and one Cuban. In the
Portuguesa state ) , anthem = '' Himno del Estado Portuguesa'' , image_map = Portuguesa in Venezuela.svg , map_alt = , map_caption = Location within Venezuela , pushpin_map = , pushpin_ ...
, the
Guanare Guanare () is the capital and most populated city of Portuguesa State, Venezuela. It is where la Virgen de Coromoto is said to have appeared to a Coromoto Indian. Guanare was founded on 3 November 1591 by João Fernandes de Leão Pacheco (15 ...
neighborhood was established in 1939, where immigrants of
Portuguese Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language ** Port ...
origin settled at first, and later 12 Spanish families. In the state of
Táchira Táchira State ( es, Estado Táchira, ) is one of the 24 states of Venezuela. The state capital is San Cristóbal. Táchira State covers a total surface area of and as of the 2011 census, had a population of 1,168,908. At the end of the 19t ...
, the Colonia Rubio was established in 1940 with 40 Spanish families and in that same year the colony La Guayabita in Turmero (
Aragua Aragua State ( es, Estado Aragua, ) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. It is located in the north-central region of Venezuela. It has plains and jungles and Caribbean beaches. The most popular are Cata and Choroni. It has Venezuela's first n ...
), where 7 families from the same origin stayed. At that time, great interest arose in receiving
Basque Basque may refer to: * Basques, an ethnic group of Spain and France * Basque language, their language Places * Basque Country (greater region), the homeland of the Basque people with parts in both Spain and France * Basque Country (autonomous c ...
immigrants, taking into consideration that they would be professionals who could contribute to Venezuelan development. One of the most forceful voices in favor of the Basques was that of Simón Gonzalo Salas, who wrote a pamphlet in 1938 expressing his support for these immigrants. He considered that at that time there were around 80,000 exiled
Basques The Basques ( or ; eu, euskaldunak ; es, vascos ; french: basques ) are a Southwestern European ethnic group, characterised by the Basque language, a common culture and shared genetic ancestry to the ancient Vascones and Aquitanians. Bas ...
in
French Third Republic The French Third Republic (french: Troisième République, sometimes written as ) was the system of government adopted in France from 4 September 1870, when the Second French Empire collapsed during the Franco-Prussian War, until 10 July 194 ...
who were waiting for an authorization to move to
Venezuela Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in ...
. In the pamphlet he assumed the defense of the Basques who had been disqualified by his political opinions. In this regard, he stated that they did not have extremist ideas and that they would not pose any threat to Venezuela because they were "orphans of their own Homeland", for being in exile in
France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan ar ...
after having fought for the republican cause. This position was shared by Uslar Pietri, who also supported the negotiations for the entry of Basques into the country. The Venezuelan legation in France, since 1938, took care of establishing agreements to admit the entry of Basque refugees, especially if they were linked to construction. Precisely, in March 1939 an agreement was signed with the government of Euskadi, exiled in
France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan ar ...
and controlled by the
Basque Nationalist Party The Basque Nationalist Party (, EAJ ; es, Partido Nacionalista Vasco, PNV; french: Parti Nationaliste Basque, PNB; EAJ-PNV), officially Basque National Party in English,) was rejected by party members in November 2011. Nonetheless, the party did ...
, authorizing the transfer of a group to
Venezuela Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in ...
, whose members would receive work contracts. In the middle of that year, the trip of 274 refugees was arranged, including university professionals, builders, designers and draftsmen Despite the fact that maritime traffic suffered a virtual paralysis in the war years, according to ministerial data, spontaneous immigration increased by 38% between 1939 and 1940 and "directed" immigration registered an increase of 61% in those same years. years. Among the new arrivals in 1940, 34% were made up of farmers, 24% by liberal professions, and 42% by specialized workers


Society and economy of Venezuela

The serious situation that Spain was going through as a result of the
Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government polic ...
coincided with a stage of profound transformations in Venezuelan society, one of whose expressions was the adoption of active policies to attract the foreign population. In this way, immigration became a fundamental strategy aimed at achieving the incorporation of labor and technical knowledge for the progress of agriculture and industry. Likewise, the entry of professionals and specialized workers who could contribute to the development of infrastructure and construction works, and also to the advancement of education and health was expected. Precisely, "directed" or selective immigration was nurtured in a first stage by the thousands of Spanish refugees who were trying to leave Europe. The situation changed in the following decade, when the "open door" policy for immigrants was put into practice, which increased the number of entries, mainly from residents from the
Canary Islands The Canary Islands (; es, Canarias, ), also known informally as the Canaries, are a Spanish autonomous community and archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, in Macaronesia. At their closest point to the African mainland, they are west of Mo ...
and
Galicia Galicia may refer to: Geographic regions * Galicia (Spain), a region and autonomous community of northwestern Spain ** Gallaecia, a Roman province ** The post-Roman Kingdom of the Suebi, also called the Kingdom of Gallaecia ** The medieval King ...
, forced to leave their land. for economic reasons. Although the largest percentage of this migratory flow tended to remain in urban centers, another significant proportion went to the interior of the republic, where they established farms that resulted in the renewal of cultivation methods and techniques. As part of a broader process, along with agricultural activity, a modern commercial system for the distribution of farm products developed, which gave rise to an extensive network that allowed linking regional spaces, previously disjointed, and satisfying the demand for foods. While the greater yield of agriculture and the growing efficiency of commerce and banking services complemented each other, the internal market was expanding, giving rise to the expansion of industry, whose varied production was increasingly based on technological advances. These dimensions of national economic life had the laborious and persevering participation of Spanish immigration, from the bottom rungs to the highest positions. The development of these companies was part of the extraordinary dynamism that the Venezuelan economy had acquired thanks to the constant increase in oil income. Frequently they were family businesses, whose administration was later left in the hands of the descendants, even when in several cases the companies were absorbed by large and modern corporations, typical of these times of globalization.


Demographics

As of December 2014, there are more 231,833 Spanish citizens in Venezuela. Most Venezuelans in Spain have Spanish nationality. A total of 112 Spanish centers and institutions are operating in Venezuela, with which the Ministry maintains permanent contact. These become collaborators to bring our services closer, especially to Spaniards who live in the most remote areas of our headquarters in the capital. The following table indicates the number of Spanish residents by state as well as the number of welfare pensioners. The number of beneficiaries of the Need Benefit in the last payroll of 2014 (fourth quarter) amounts to 3,214, distributed by Autonomous Communities:


References

{{Ethnic groups in Spain European Venezuelan Spain–Venezuela relations Ethnic groups in Venezuela