Post-Soviet migration to Latin America amidst political repression and war: between adaptation and strategic migration

• In Event: 50662 - Section on Peace, War, and Social Conflict Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 4: Structure and Practice of Conflict

Abstract

Studies show that “the contemporary Russian diaspora in Latin America consists mostly of Russian-speaking populations who migrated to the region following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, largely for economic reasons” (Fonseca and Rouvisnki 2018: 82). However, a new wave of post-soviet migration, mainly from Russia and Belarus has emerged in recent years, calling the attention of the media and of academic research. This migration is driven by escalating political repression in these countries and the ongoing war in Ukraine. This paper is based on 20 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with migrants from Belarus and Russia who have recently settled in Latin America, especially to Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico. In addition, we carried out content analysis of Russian and Belarusian state online media, where hostility towards emigrants is present (interviews, stories, articles, etc.) and of posting from intermediaries or facilitators (travel agencies and consultants) that usually share information about relocation to Latin American countries, including birth tourism. This new migration has very distinct features than previous post-soviet migration waves, including destination, adaptation strategies, goals, and family focus, among others.

Authors

• Beatriz Padilla, University of South Florida

• Viktoryia Sliaptsova, University of South Florida