January 2, 2024
photo: John Moore
In 2023 more than 500,000 migrants crossed the Darien Gap, the dangerous swampy jungle on the border between Colombia and Panama, the Panamanian Ministry of Public Security reported Monday on its networks.
According to the statement, 520,085 migrants, including 120,000 minors, crossed the area last year trying to get to the US border. It details that in October 49,256 people passed through the jungle terrain, in November 37,231 and in December 24,626.
There was also a significant increase in the number of people crossing the jungle compared to previous years. In 2020 there were 8,594 migrants, in 2021 133,726 and in 2022 248,283.
The 100-kilometer stretch of wilderness is not the only challenge migrants have to face. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reminds us that they are also exposed to all kinds of harassment by criminals including attacks, robberies, kidnappings, sexual violence and murder.
Source: RT