Venezuela has been in economic recession for the past six years, and almost 2 million migrants have fled to next-door neighbor Colombia.
But now, Colombia's countrywide lockdown has left many of them out of work, with nowhere else to go.
Gloria Tso reports.
Lugging suitcases and trudging along the side of highways, Venezuelan migrants who once escaped their country's crumbling economy are now making the harrowing journey back to where they came from.
Keulis Mesa is one of almost 2 million Venezuelan migrants who have fled to neighboring Colombia in recent years in search of a better life.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN MIGRANT AND MOTHER OF YOUNG GIRL, KEULIS MESA, SAYING: "It's not easy for one to say: 'We are leaving.'
For us it's difficult to think about our daughter.
God forbid she gets that coronavirus and we can only ask God to take care of us along the way and to take care of her, above all, so we won't get this disease.'' Gripped by hyperinflation and a corrupt government, Venezuela has been in economic recession for the past six years and next-door neighbor Colombia is the top destination for Venezuelan migrants.
But now, Colombia's countrywide coronavirus lockdown has left many of them out of work, with nowhere else to go.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN MIGRANT AND MOTHER OF YOUNG GIRL, KEULIS MESA, SAYING: ''Everything collapsed.
There are no more dreams, there's nothing.
We are leaving without possessions.
Empty-handed.
The dream is over.
Everything is over.
Because we can't do anything here.
Without a job, without food.'' Venezuela and Colombia have officially closed their border, trapping thousands of Venezuelans along the Colombian side, and making the journey back home an intimidating challenge.
However, a UN report earlier this month says informal border crossings continue to function.
But on the other side in Venezuela makeshift, overcrowded quarantine shelters await.
Some Venezuelan migrants are choosing not to go back to their battered homeland at all--but rather continue trying to survive in a foreign country, living under bridges and knowingly putting themselves at risk of infection.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN MIGRANT, JUAN TIRADO, SAYING: ''At first I did not want to go to Venezuela, because if the coronavirus does not kill me, hunger will.
Then I would rather be here where I know I am able to cook.
I know I am exposing myself to a fatal virus.''