Surge in Migration Across Darien Gap: Over 520,000 Crossings Recorded in 2023
Startling government figures reveal that a record-breaking 520,000 migrants successfully navigated the perilous Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama in 2023, more than doubling the numbers reported in the previous year. The data, disclosed by Panama's migration agency and seen by Reuters on Tuesday, underscores the escalating challenges faced by authorities dealing with the influx.
Most of the migrants embarking on this dangerous journey, which marks the beginning of the arduous trek north from South America to the United States, originated from Venezuela, Ecuador, Haiti, and China, according to the Panamanian migration agency. Alarmingly, approximately 25% of the migrants were minors, highlighting the vulnerability of a significant portion of this migrant population.
Samira Gozaine, the head of the migration agency, addressed the issue at a government event, emphasizing the severity of the situation as a "national security problem." She regretfully admitted that finding a quick solution remains elusive.
The surge in migrants transiting the Darien Gap has been a growing concern since Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo assumed office in 2019. The staggering increase has prompted authorities to seek international aid in managing this humanitarian crisis.
The driving factors behind this migration surge include the profound economic and social collapse in Venezuela, leading to a mass exodus of its citizens. Over seven million Venezuelans have fled their country in recent years, according to UN figures.
Crossing the Darien Gap is an immensely perilous undertaking, with migrants risking violence, sexual abuse, human trafficking, and exposure to diseases. In September, Reuters reported a strategy employed by African migrants heading to the United States, who fly to Nicaragua to circumvent the hazards of the Darien Gap.
The data also indicates a notable increase in the number of migrants from China undertaking this risky journey. This surge is attributed in part to COVID-19 lockdowns impacting China's economy and the growing difficulty for Chinese nationals to obtain U.S. visas. The evolving dynamics of migration across the Darien Gap underscore the complex intersection of global events influencing the movement of people seeking better opportunities and refuge.
