Spanish immigration to Venezuela

History

From the beginning of the colonial period and until the end of the Second World War, most European immigrants in Venezuela were Spanish, predominantly Canary Islanders. Their cultural impact was significant, influencing both the development of Castilian Spanish in the country as well as its cuisine and customs. Venezuela has perhaps the largest population of Canarian origin, and it is commonly said in the Canary Islands that "Venezuela is the eighth island of the Canary Islands." In the 16th century, the German conquistador Georg von Speyer in the Canary Islands recruited 200 men to colonize Venezuela, as did Diego Hernández de Serpa, governor of New Andalusia Province, who sent another 200 soldiers and 400 slaves from Gran Canaria to Venezuela, where some of these Canarians were among the founders of Cumaná.

From 1936 onwards, the majority of Canarian immigrants opted for relocation to either Cuba or Venezuela, with some of those who moved to Venezuela originating from Cuba. This migration was actively promoted by the government, particularly targeting Spanish citizens. The trend continued until 1948, primarily favoring Venezuela. Although large-scale immigration persisted until the early 1980s, there was a notable decline in the 1970s, coinciding with the onset of Canarian emigration to various European countries. Presently, descendants of Canary Islanders are dispersed across Venezuela.

Political Refugees

In 1949, the CIA produced a paper concerning spanish republican immigration, as they were concerned of the recent activity in the country.

Demographics

As of December 2014, there are more 231,833 Spanish citizens in Venezuela. As of January 2016, that figure reduced to 188,025 according to the spanish National Statistics Institute. In the same study, Venezuela ranked fourth in total immigration. One year later, immigration the country slowed down considerably.

References

References

1. "Datos sociológicos de la emigración". Ministerio de Trabajo y Economía Social.
2. (2020). "PUBLIC POLICIES ON MIGRATION AND CIVIL SOCIETY IN LATIN AMERICA". Simn / Cemla.
3. Banko, Catalina. (2019). "Spanish immigration in Venezuela: an experience of effort and productive work". Espacio Abierto.
4. (18 October 2018). "Venezuelans escape to Spain and ask to return old favour". BBC.
5. Jesús Silva Herzog. (2008). "Cuadernos americanos".
6. (17 June 2024). "SPAIN AND VENEZUELA: AN ANALYSIS OF THE MIGRATORY PHENOMENON IN SPAIN DRIVEN BY THE VENEZUELAN CRISIS". Universidad Rey Juan Carlos.
7. Manuel Hernández González. (1 January 2005). "La Emigración Canaria a América". Centro de la Cultura Popular Canaria.
8. (21 January 1949). "Spanish Immigrants in Venezuela". Central Intelligence Agency.
9. "Ministerio de Trabajo y Economía Social".
10. Fonseca, Diego. (March 17, 2016). "Los españoles en el extranjero aumentan un 56,6% desde 2009". El País.
11. (30 June 2025). "Immigrants return to Spain after seven years of crisis-led decline". El País.