Cuban, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan exiles.
Argentine citizens who "escaped" from the inflation faced by the Government of Alberto Fernández;
Peruvians and Colombians who, tired of years of political instability, have decided to emigrate to Spain.
Mexican, Ecuadorian and Chilean entrepreneurs who have invested in the creation of companies or in goods.
These are some of the factors that have led Madrid to become a "fixed" destination for immigrants from Latin America.
The Latin diaspora in Madrid can be understood through two concepts.
On the one hand, the attraction to a new life.
On the other hand, expulsion from the country of origin thanks to factors such as an economic crisis, a dictatorship or a social problem.
“Migratory phenomena usually have two forces: forces that attract and forces that expel.
That's why people move.
Regarding Latin America and Spain, perhaps both have passed, ”says Carlos Braun, Argentine professor at the Complutense University.
Finding a profitable job, studying and getting a permanent contract are the reasons that drive Latinos to choose Madrid as their place of residence.
In this way, the capital of Spain is gradually displacing Florida, the US state that was the first destination for thousands of Latino families who want to leave their countries.
Since the outbreak of the revolution in 1959, Miami has welcomed Cubans who manage to leave the island.
Venezuelans or Nicaraguans, who are also fleeing their respective dictatorships, find a good opportunity in Miami due to factors such as “closeness”, high “salaries” and the amount of the population that is Spanish-speaking (about 67%).
However, the language, the migratory processes and the high cost of living have forced the Latino diaspora to look for new points of reference and Madrid is the first alternative in this new process.
“The first destination, when leaving Venezuela, is the United States.
Many times, from there they come to Spain.
Which means that they do not always leave directly from Venezuela for Spain.
Trying there so many times they decide to try to live in Spain, ”explains Gustavo Eustache, executive secretary of the department of new Madrid residents of the PP in Madrid.
In addition to the cost of living in the US, the age of immigrants is a second turning point in this diaspora.
“The United States is a country to reach under 40 years of age.
Spain is a country to arrive after 40, "says Eustache.
The age range plays a determining role when it comes to finding a job.
During the beginning of the year 2000, the first "great" migratory wave of Latinos who arrived in Madrid, from a humbler origin than the current one, was presented.
That generation, made up mostly of people over 40 years of age, came to Spain with the need to find any method of work to support a family.
Now, a group of Latin American businessmen has chosen Madrid as an investment point: owners of different companies have decided to buy real estate, create companies or invest capital in shares.
The Latin American businessman comes to Madrid because he sees a greater “easiness” to obtain “legal” access to Spain.
The documentation and regularization of papers to obtain a residence card or even nationality in recent years have made Spain an important alternative for South Americans.
“Perhaps because of the ties that unite us historically, it is easier to acquire a nationality here in two years.
Unlike other countries where it takes up to 10 years, "adds Lizeth García, Colombian director of the television channel, Euro Latina.
In short, Madrid has won the pulse of other European cities and encompasses a large number of Latinos, who find in Spain an opportunity to start from scratch.
Latinos have gone from being cheap labor to becoming employers who create jobs.
Conforms to The Trust Project criteria
Know more