Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

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Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Halmos College of Arts and Sciences - Department of Conflict Resolution Studies

First Advisor

Elena Bastidas

Second Advisor

Cheryl Duckworth

Third Advisor

Iris Montes de Oca

Keywords

administrative barriers, Basic Human Needs theory, belonging, Burton’s Basic Human Needs theory, cohabitation challenges, Colombia, community life, conflict-sensitive strategies, cooperation, critical theory, daily interactions, employment competition, host communities, housing competition, institutional policies, labor segmentation, Marxist economics, migration, migrants, NGO perspectives, narrative reframing, perceptions of security, power dynamics, precarity, recognition issues, semi-structured interviews, service access, social cohesion, status denial, stigma, structural inequalities, Venezuelan migrants

Abstract

This qualitative case study investigates the drivers of conflict between Venezuelan migrants and Colombian host communities, emphasizing the impact of migration on community life, daily interactions, and perceptions of security and belonging. Data were gathered through nine semi-structured interviews with migrants, local residents, and an NGO official, complemented by policy documents and narratives used in the literature review corpus. An inductive analytic approach identified themes across cases, highlighting how tensions fluctuate across various domains. Findings indicate that conflict arises from material conditions and processes of meaning-making, with competition over employment, housing, and services generating daily friction, particularly where informal labor, rental gatekeeping, and administrative barriers limit options. Host communities often perceive scarcity as a zero-sum scenario, while recognition issues such as status denial, conditional acceptance, and stigma contribute to mistrust and perceptions of legitimacy. Security concerns and cohabitation challenges further exacerbate tensions, especially when crime narratives and national ideologies are invoked. Institutional policies, implementation, and access procedures at clinics, municipal offices, and service points influence whether interactions foster cooperation or conflict. The analysis draws on Critical Theory, Burton’s Basic Human Needs theory, and Marxist economics to connect micro-level interactions with broader structural inequalities. Critical Theory elucidates how discourse and power dynamics shape inclusion, while Basic Human Needs theory underscores the importance of identity and security. Marxist perspectives highlight labor segmentation and precarity, intensifying competition. Collectively, these frameworks inform conflict-sensitive strategies aimed at improving access pathways, involving trusted intermediaries, and employing narrative reframing to reduce stigma and promote social cohesion.

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