The stringent measures implemented by Panamanian authorities appear to be having an impact, particularly with increased controls at the treacherous Darién jungle crossing on the Colombia-Panama border. This crossing is a vital part of the journey for many migrants seeking the so-called American dream.
According to a report by journalist Paula Cabaleiro from the Spanish news agency EFE, many Venezuelans residing in Colombia, who initially viewed the country as a temporary stop, are now choosing to stay.
One story is that of María Alfonso Ollarve, a Venezuelan mother who has settled in Turbo, Antioquia. There, she survives by selling cigarettes, coffee, and snacks at the border. María migrated six years ago out of necessity and has spent the last five months in the municipality with her son. She expressed her desire to avoid living under Nicolás Maduro’s government, stating, “Every day it gets worse, and it’s likely he’ll win the elections again.”
Her initial plan was to cross the Darién jungle, one of the most dangerous in the world, which spans 97 kilometers. This would be the first step towards navigating through seven Central American countries to ultimately reach the United States—a total distance of about 3,742 kilometers.
Upon reaching Turbo, fear for her life and her son’s safety made her reconsider. She recalled hearing a story about a young woman who had fallen off a cliff after twisting her ankle, and another who arrived at the border without her baby.
This year, over 195,000 individuals have crossed the Darién, primarily Venezuelans, but the statistics fail to capture the number of lives lost in this dense and treacherous jungle that separates Colombia from Panama. Many families, like that of ‘Doña Mari’, have opted to remain in Colombia, which has taken in nearly three million Venezuelan migrants and refugees, making it the country with the largest Venezuelan population in the region.
The tourist dock in Turbo sees hundreds of arrivals and departures each day, similar to the dock in Necoclí, from where many Venezuelan migrants take boats to Acandí or Capurganá. Here, they meet guides who lead them into the jungle, a route that has often witnessed humanitarian crises due to overcrowding.
Various “tourist companies” from Turbo offer packages to guide migrants from the beaches to the Panama border amid the jungle, though this service has become increasingly expensive. Many families find themselves setting up temporary camps around the dock while they save money, delaying their journey or abandoning the idea of crossing the jungle altogether.
Aldeas Infantiles has established a tent at the dock within the past year to support children and families, as noted by Laura Dorado, a project director. One of the mothers seeking help is Nakari Medina. She tearfully recalls her home while the song “Me fui,” a tribute to Venezuelan migrants by Reymar Perdomo, plays from nearby cell phones.
Nakari arrived in April with hopes of achieving the American dream with her husband and two daughters. However, they were unable to afford a package costing $350, resulting in their return to the departure dock after four days of waiting in Acandí. She had to leave Venezuela due to health concerns, as she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2022 and requires regular medical check-ups.
Many migrants linger along the coast, waiting for opportunities to be taken with whatever few belongings they have, with prices ranging from $20 to $70. “They guide you up to a certain point, and from there… well,” Nakari says.
Now that she is able to afford some accommodations by selling Venezuelan empanadas, Nakari is focused on getting her paperwork in order and enrolling her daughters in school, hoping they can adapt socially as they haven’t had much interaction with other children.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/07/22/venezolanos-prefieren-quedarse-en-colombia-por-nuevas-dificultades-para-cruzar-el-darien-y-llegar-a-eeuu/
