Mixed Migration Review 2025
Migration in the context of geopolitical turmoil
Latin America and the Caribbean
MMC provides ongoing insights into mixed migration in Latin America and the Caribbean, tracking routes, drivers of movement, risks, assistance needs, integration challenges, and return movements. Our research is grounded in the experiences of refugees and migrants, including women, children, and people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTIQ+), to inform evidence-based policy and humanitarian responses across the region.
Publications and Insights
Snapshots and Infographics
Experiences and expectations of return migration to Venezuela
The motivations, experiences and challenges shaping return migration to Venezuela from South America
Article
Cuban mixed migration: US fuels departures and restricts access
Article
Venezuelans in the Americas face uncertainty in light of political changes at home and in exile
More articles
Mixed migration in Latin America and the Caribbean
Since 2018, Venezuelans have comprised the largest share of refugees and migrants in the region, mostly residing in Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Chile, and Ecuador. Unrest in Venezuela, barriers to economic integration, and xenophobia in host countries prompt Venezuelans to continue moving across the region — whether leaving Venezuela for the first time, returning temporarily, or re-migrating from one host country to another.
Economic crises and rising violence in countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru are prompting some of their nationals to leave, reinforcing South America’s tradition of intra-regional migration. At the same time, stricter visa requirements and border enforcement have left many without legal status or access to work, housing, and services, while xenophobia and anti-immigrant rhetoric are growing in countries such as Argentina and Chile. In the Caribbean, Haitian emigration is driven primarily by gang violence and internal displacement.
Meanwhile, northbound movements have shifted. Following record crossings of the Darién Gap in 2023–2024, numbers declined sharply in 2025 due to new enforcement measures and changes in US policy. Deportations and return movements are rising in the region, particularly of Venezuelans and Haitians from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the United States — often to unsafe conditions. Some people are choosing to return or redirect their movements to other destinations in South America as access to the US becomes more restricted.
Across the region, safe and regular pathways remain scarce, forcing many to rely on smugglers, risk detention and deportation, or undertake dangerous journeys by land and sea.
quarterly mixed migration update
Latin America and the Caribbean, Quarter 2, 2026
Mixed migration trends and relevant policy developments in the region.
- Several stalled immigration policies put forward by the U.S. government approved by the Supreme Court.
- Chilean President moves forward with immigration reform, including proposals to restrict health care access for migrants and criminalise irregular entry.
- Costa Rica revives a new immigration pathway for asylum seekers in the country.
5,612
people on the move across the region interviewed by MMC between July 2024 and June 2025
They asked me if I wanted to prostitute my daughter or myself, allegedly for the transportation fare.
29-year-old Colombian woman
Returning South
U.S. policy changes have left migrants and refugees stranded, leading many to move south to countries of origin or third countries.
62%
of Colombians on the move cited violence, insecurity, and conflict as the main reason for leaving.
I don’t mention my sexuality at work unless asked, because I experienced harassment in the past.
Venezuelan man, Montevideo
60%
of caregivers said that children faced at least one risk during their migration journey
About MMC’s work in Latin America and the Caribbean
MMC’s research in Latin America and the Caribbean focuses on four priority areas:
Routes and risks: Through 4Mi data collection along key migration routes – including the Darién Gap, maritime corridors, and land routes within South America – MMC analyses refugees and migrants’ motivations, the role of smugglers, risks, assistance needs, onward movements, and the impacts of policy changes
Integration: Through the 4Mi Cities initiative, MMC works with municipalities to support migrant integration. The research highlights local challenges in health, employment, education, housing, documentation, and discrimination. To date, 4Mi Cities has been implemented in Barranquilla, Medellín, Mexico City, and Montevideo.
Return migration: MMC researches forced, assisted, and self-initiated returns. This has included returns to Venezuela and north–south movements from the US and Central America to South America.
Specific groups on the move: MMC also conducts dedicated research on women, children, adolescents, and people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTIQ+) .
MMC uses a mixed-methods approach and increasingly leverages digital tools — such as social media and an AI-powered chatbot — to capture people’s experiences and share relevant information with them.
MMC activity update: April – June 2026
- In the second quarter of 2026, MMC in Latin America and the Caribbean began 4Mi data collection in Tapachula (Mexico) and Tumbes (Peru). These cities are in addition to the data collection points already active in Colombia (Medellín, Cúcuta and Ipiales) and Chile (Arica).
- Data collection on returns to Venezuela was also initiated, surveying more than 200 Venezuelans who were in the midst of their return journey in South America. The analysis of the motives and experiences of return will be published in the next quarter.
- In Colombia, promotion of ‘SAMI’ the information access chatbot continued reaching more than 1,200 users since its launch.
4Mi migration data in Latin America and the Caribbean
Monthly updates direct from migrants
This dashboard presents data updated monthly since July 2024, from people on the move along routes in Latin America, capturing their experiences and decision-making processes.
Returning to Venezuela
This dashboard presents data collected between 2022 and 2024 from interviews with Venezuelan migrants across Colombia and Peru who intend to return to Venezuela. Learn about their experiences in their last host country, their return journey, and their migration intentions and expectations.
Children, youth and caregivers on the move in Honduras
The dashboard presents data collected in 2023 from surveys with refugees and migrants travelling with children and youth (18 – 25 years old) in Honduras. The data selection looks at their experiences, needs and decision making, with an emphasis on children and youth.
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News, Events, and Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
For general enquiries please contact the team in the region: [email protected]
No. While many people move northward toward the U.S., a significant share of migration is intra-regional, with refugees and migrants moving between South American countries or to Central America. Many also stay in transit countries for long periods or re-migrate within the region. Additionally, since 2025 migration trends are shifting due to changes in US policies.
Economic reasons are important but are rarely the only reason for leaving. In the region, people also leave due to violence, insecurity, conflict, lack of access to services, corruption, and restricted rights and freedoms. Barriers to integration and xenophobia further shape migration, prompting onward movements within the region.
Smugglers are used when regular pathways are unavailable, but their use varies by route and nationality. In South America, where regional agreements allow freedom of movement and established networks exist, reliance on smugglers is limited. On routes toward the US, smuggler use is higher; smuggler use is also higher among Venezuelans who face stricter entry restrictions in the region. Smugglers assist with border crossings and transportation, but they can also expose people on the move to extortion, violence, or abandonment. MMC collects data on how smugglers operate, how refugees and migrants use their services, and the associated risks.
MMC uses 4Mi to interview thousands of refugees and migrants every year along key routes. We complement this with qualitative research, focus groups, social media listening, and an AI-powered chatbot to better understand migration trends and risks.
MMC collects data across the region along key migration routes and in both transit and destination locations. This includes the Darién Gap, major maritime corridors, land routes within South America, and cities where refugees and migrants settle, such as Montevideo. We continuously adjust our data collection points in response to emerging trends and the latest migration dynamics.
OUR FUNDING PARTNERS
MMC’s work in Latin America and the Caribbean is made possible through the generous support and close cooperation with various partners
Get in touch with Latin America and the Carribean
For more information on our research in the region contact [email protected] or subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox
