ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the relationship between Venezuelan migrants and host communities in Peru, focusing on how social interactions, mutual perceptions, and lived experiences shape the integration process. Drawing on interviews with Venezuelan migrants and Peruvian residents, alongside survey data collected by our team, we highlight both the opportunities and challenges that emerge in everyday encounters.
We also analyze the role of social media in shaping public perceptions, particularly its influence on stereotypes, misinformation, and societal attitudes. Labor competition, entrenched prejudices, and media narratives drive patterns of exclusion and marginalization. We examine how migrants respond to these challenges through social engagement and adaptation strategies.
The empirical findings are organized in two sections: (1) Venezuelan migrants’ perceptions of their interactions with Peruvians, and (2) Peruvians’ views of Venezuelan migrants. These insights reveal how dynamics of integration and exclusion unfold across workplaces, neighborhoods, and public spaces, shaped by economic tensions and social discourse. Media portrayals often reinforce negative stereotypes.
We interpret these findings through Berry’s acculturation model and Ager and Strang’s integration framework, assessing how social engagement influences migrants’ sense of belonging and long-term adaptation. The chapter concludes by summarizing key insights, reflecting on broader social dynamics, and identifying ongoing challenges to building a more inclusive environment for Venezuelan migrants in Peru.
