Poor economic conditions, food shortages, and limited access to healthcare have caused more than 7.7 million people to leave Venezuela. This is the largest migration in the Western Hemisphere, and many of them are heading north to the United States.

This mass migration has created a unique challenge for the Biden administration as it deals with issues at the US-Mexico border. It has also raised concerns among domestic allies. On Thursday, the mayors of Chicago and Denver met with senior White House officials to discuss the influx of migrant arrivals in their cities.

President Joe Biden is meeting with leaders from the Western Hemisphere as part of a broader approach to address migration, create legal pathways to the US, and strengthen economies in the region. The focus of the gathering is on economic prosperity, including infrastructure development, entrepreneurship support, and improving supply chain competitiveness.

However, Venezuela remains a significant topic of discussion. The increase in migration and upcoming elections in Venezuela have led to a change in the US government's approach. After months of internal debates, the administration has softened its stance on Venezuela and started to lift sanctions imposed during the previous administration.

The easing of sanctions on Venezuela depends on the country's ability to hold competitive elections in 2024. The US has urged the European Union and the Carter Center to assess the election process. This marks a shift from the previous administration's approach, which targeted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with extensive sanctions.

The Biden administration disagreed with the previous approach, viewing sanctions as harmful to the Venezuelan people and a cause of the mass migration. Many countries in the region have struggled with the influx of Venezuelan migrants, straining their resources and causing political tensions.

At the US-Mexico border, authorities have faced a historic wave of Venezuelan arrivals. Last month, the Biden administration announced plans to restart deporting Venezuelans directly to Venezuela, in exchange for taking steps toward the possible resumption of commercial flights. This change has contributed to a recent drop in border crossings, according to Homeland Security officials.

In summary, the Biden administration is reevaluating its approach to Venezuela, aiming to address the migration crisis and promote economic stability in the Western Hemisphere. The US is lifting some sanctions on Venezuela, but the success of this policy change depends on Venezuela's ability to hold fair elections in 2024.

Source: CNN