Spain and Latin America share a deep history, a common language, and cultural ties that facilitate migration.After Spain completed the conquest of Mexico and South America, the first legal and non-legal unions between indigenous women and the Spanish soldiers began. The first Spanish-born Mexicans to arrive on their native soil were the children of soldiers in Hernan Cortes's army.In the case of mestizos from other South American countries, migration did not occur in the same way; rather, it was the Spanish who extended their rule over the conquered territories.During the early twentieth century, there was already a permanent Mexican community in Spain, many of whom were exiled during the Mexican Revolution. At the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, many Mexicans were part of the armed movements in Spain, supporting the Republican fighters.The history of Colombian migration to Spain began to gain momentum in the 1990s and 2000s, driven by the search for security and economic stability at a time when Colombia was facing significant challenges related to internal armed conflict and insecurity.On the other hand, Venezuelan migration to Spain is more recent, accelerating significantly in the last decade due to the profound political, economic, and social crisis in Venezuela.Ecuadorian migration in the late 1990s and early 2000s was a massive phenomenon, one of the largest flows from Latin America to Europe at that time. Thousands arrived fleeing a severe crisis in their country, and many later regularized their status. They became key workers in sectors such as construction, cleaning, and caregiving. For a time, they were seen as migrants who were integrating and contributing significantly.Peruvian migration to Spain has been constant but remarkably “silent.” It is a large community but one that has not received the same media attention as others. Most arrived in the 1990s, fleeing the economic crisis and internal conflict in Peru. They concentrated in Madrid and Barcelona, working in essential but often undervalued sectors: cleaning, domestic service, care, and catering.
The integration of mestizo immigrants has been complex; most face rejection, stigma, and silent discrimination that hinders their full acceptance.Migrants from Honduras and Nicaragua are often pigeonholed into low-skilled jobs. They contribute their efforts in sectors such as hospitality, domestic care, and construction, while dealing with discrimination and challenges in validating their university degrees. In the case of the Dominican community, they have mainly settled in large cities, occupying essential positions in caregiving, cleaning, and hospitality. Despite decades of work and community building, they remain one of the most invisible and stigmatized communities.Due to the 2008 economic crisis in Spain, thousands of families from Ecuador, who were well integrated into society, lost their jobs and were unable to meet their mortgage payments, and were evicted. They went from being perceived positively to being victims of the economic system, losing the media visibility they once had.Despite their efforts and contributions, Peruvians suffer from silent racism that manifests itself in difficulties renting an apartment, in job interviews, or in how they are treated in commercial establishments. Despite being a largely hard-working and peaceful community, they do not escape prejudice, which demonstrates the need for greater recognition and appreciation of their contributions.
Most Latin American migrants in Spain profess the Catholic faith, although many are Evangelicals and some belong to the Orthodox Church.Mexicans have the greatest influence in organizing activities linked to the Catholic Church, but there is also a strong Islamic influence that has permeated migrant communities from Latin American countries.
The Ecuadorian community remains large, and many children of migrants born in Spain today face problems of identity and discrimination. At the same time, some of their parents continue to fight for their status or have decided to return to their country.In the case of Dominican women, the most important need is to stop being associated with “immoral” jobs, regardless of whether they work in elder care or house cleaning.Migrants from Nicaragua face barriers to access to housing and formal employment, with reports of discrimination based on their accent or skin color. Police treatment, including random checks and raids, adds a layer of constant suspicion. Despite their resilience and contribution, full social recognition still eludes them.Young Colombians today feel double pressure: to adapt culturally and, at the same time, to constantly prove that they do not fit the negative stereotype of the drug trafficker. There are reports of raids, random checks, and difficulties in accessing housing solely because of their passport. The media often reinforces this perception by highlighting nationality in cases of crime but omitting when a Colombian stands out positively in other areas.
Pray that people from Latin American countries will not suffer racism and discrimination from the Spanish authorities.Pray that Spaniards with Latin American parents may achieve economic and social stability.Pray that the Great Commission will inspire churches in Spain to take the gospel to all people who are discriminated against because of their accent, skin color, or nationality.Pray that Latino communities in Spain will find hope and peace in Christ to deal with their daily problems.
Scripture Prayers for the Latin American, Mestizo in Spain.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_immigration_to_Spainhttps://mexicosolidarityproject.org/voices/61/https://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0188-46112009000300004https://codigonews.com/la-realidad-de-los-latinos-en-espana-rechazo-y-estigmas-silenciosos/https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/03/12/planeta_futuro/1520869799_047698.htmlhttps://iberoeconomia.es/inmigracion/como-los-migrantes-latinos-han-contribuido-a-espana/
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
