The dense jungle between Panama and Colombia referred to as the Darien Gap, is being crossed by an unprecedented number of migrants and refugees. Over 330,000 people have crossed the Darien Gap since the start of 2023, making it the highest annual figure recorded to date, one in five being a child, reports the UN Rights Office (OHCHR).
OHCHR spokesperson Marta Hurtado describes the physical terrain of the crossing as incredibly dangerous, stating that:
“Traveling on foot through 575,000-hectare jungle was already perilous itself, and a four-to-seven-day walk across the Darien Gap in a dry season could turn into a 10-day trip during the nine-month long rainy season. The harrowing trek involves climbing steep mountains and crossing dangerous waterways.”
Those who cross the Darien Gap come from Venezuela, Haiti, Ecuador, Colombia, China, and several other regions. They say they have decided to flee violence and insecurity in search of a life where their fundamental rights are respected.
Risk of trafficking and sexual violence
In addition to the geographically challenging obstacles of the Darien Gap, the crossing comes with a great risk of human trafficking, physical, and sexual violence. “A particular risk for children, women, LGBTI people, and people with disabilities,” said Hurtado.
A report from the UN Human Rights Committee in March of this year also found further risks, including murders, disappearances, trafficking, robbery, and intimidation by organized crime operatives. Catherine from Venezuela at the Lajas Blancas temporary migration center in Panama shared one of her experiences during the crossing:
“They stole everything from us. A group of armed men with balaclavas held us hostage for a day and took everything from us – our money, our belongings, and even our food… at least they didn’t touch my daughter.”
Human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and labor exploitation is a featured risk on the route. Sexual violence is used as a means of payment to pass through different points controlled by migrant smuggling structures. “Women are often raped if they have nothing for armed traffickers to steal,” according to Doctors Without Borders.
Urgency of finding safe and regular pathways
The fact that this many people are making the extreme journey speaks to the desperation and determination to seek a better life away from violence and persecution. It also highlights the urgent need for a migration system that is unified with a human rights-based response. There are efforts being made by countries in the region, such as Costa Rica and Panama, to aid in humanitarian needs. However, it is the structural factors that force people to leave their homes and the global approach to migration that need to be addressed. Still to come for many migrants who cross the Darien Gap is the remainder of the journey to the border of the U.S., where they will face more rough conditions, danger, and state-imposed restrictions.
As a global community, we must demand safer migration policies so that migrants are not left with the choiceless choice of taking perilous routes and risking their lives in search of safety and freedom. Take action and sign our petition to call for safe migration policies.
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We are one people, one planet and must unite to support one another. I pray often for world unity and for world leaders who will work to build bridges rather than fences.
The Darien Gap is one of the very few most precios, diverse, rare, and mysterios, (ancient?) authentic rainforest left on planet Earth.
Economic refugies should at all costs never enter this dwindling fragile gem. The cause lay and should be stopped inmediately by the governments of the countries of origin. At all cost save and protect this millón years old biodiverse wonder.
And if there is no way of stopping them, they should use boats!!!!
As much as I agree that everyone has the right to live in dignity and peace, no one country can take in as many refugees as there are coming across dangerous routes, not just to the US. It would be better if life was improved in their countries and that is where the UN fails abysmally. Even “wealthy” countries are struggling financially, where does it end?
The movie Sound of Freedom was eye opening yet it made the problem seem other than a U.S. problem except for one of the last screens which showed a quote basically stating that the U.S. is the largest consumer of trafficked humans. Assuming that is correct, what is Freedom United doing on that front and how can I help?