Skip to main content

Record migrant crossings along Darién jungle are creating an "unsustainable crisis," Colombian ambassador says

Record Surge in Migrant Crossings through Darién Jungle Considered "Unsustainable Crisis," Colombian Ambassador Comments

Record migrant crossings

Written by Camilo Montoya-Galvez and Luis Giraldo

Last Updated: October 6, 2023

Unprecedented Flow of Migrants Creates Crisis

An unparalleled surge of US-bound migrants crossing through Panama's perilous Darién jungle constitutes an "unmanageable crisis," stated the Colombian ambassador to the U.S. The month of September alone witnessed over 75,000 migrants traversing the jungle, according to the records from Panamanian authorities. This toll was just a few thousand short of the 82,000 crossings reported in August. The total count for the year crosses a staggering 400,000.

The unchecked migration flow along the Colombia-Panama border has led to an unprecedented influx of Venezuelan arrivals at the U.S. southern border. In September alone, approximately 50,000 Venezuelan migrants were processed, setting a new record high.

Colombia's Stand on the Crisis

Colombia's ambassador to the U.S., Luis Gilberto Murillo, opined that the irregular migration is indeed a crisis that poses severe safety threats. "That is why Colombia, and the U.S. are collaborating to ensure that potential migrants contemplate the perils before embarking on this hazardous journey," stated Murillo.

However, U.S. officials have expressed concern over what they perceive as Colombia's lenience in taking decisive steps to control the migration inflow into the Darién. At a recent event, top U.S. border official Blas Nuñez Neto referred to the jungle scenario as a "humanitarian catastrophe."

Instead of physically intercepting migrants, Colombia's first leftist president Gustavo Petro proposes remedying the situation in a humanitarian manner. Echoing similar sentiments, Murillo mentioned Colombia's focus on expanding legal migration opportunities, assimilating Venezuelan migrants into Colombian society, and improving local economies in collaboration with the U.S. to dissuade people from choosing to migrate.

Repercussions and Actions

Larger Democratic-led cities in the U.S., including New York, Chicago, and Denver, have grappled with housing the influx of migrants. They have been funneled into over 200 facilities such as hotels, homeless shelters, and tents. In particular, New York Mayor Eric Adams plans to join Murillo on a tour of the Darién Gap. The tour aims to illuminate the struggles his city faces in housing the migrant influx.

Colombia is currently providing refuge to approximately 3 million Venezuelans, the highest number among all countries. Given this increase of Venezuelan arrivals, the U.S. recently announced they would resume direct and regular deportations to Venezuela for migrants who entered the country unlawfully.

Ambassador's Response to Border Crisis

"Colombia is doing its part, but community and economic progression are urgently required to address the root causes of this humanitarian debacle," stated Murillo. His office remains silent on whether Colombia will take any action against the cartels and traffickers who pave the way for the migrants to cross the border with Panama.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Half the village is gone': Ukraine hamlet reels after missile strike

Tiny Ukrainian Village Loses Half Its Residents in Shocking Missile Attack A Heavy Loss in Hroza Residents of the small Ukrainian village of Hroza were met with devastation on October 6th, after a missile strike tragically ended the lives of at least 52 people. Aiming to honour a deceased soldier in a local cafe, the villagers were unsuspecting of the horror about to unfold in one of the deadliest attacks in 20 months of tumult. Shock Gives Way to Grief The sorrow was unimaginable as residents strived to make sense of the horrors that had befallen their close-knit community. Grieving over the loss of his 36 year-old daughter, Olya, as well as her husband, Valeriy Kozyr could only express his wish to have died in their stead. The sight of his grandchildren, now orphans at the ages of 10,15 and 17 only intensified the pain. A Funeral In Uncertain Times Preparations for funerals were in the process amidst the despair and shock. Three brothers mourned the loss of thei...

Why Smaller Storms Are Growing More Fearsome, More Often

Why Smaller Storms Are Becoming More Threatening, More Frequently The storm that wreaked havoc in New York City last Friday, resulting in widespread flooding, didn't initially raise any alarms for meteorologists. The system that was relatively inconspicuous and unpredictable at the beginning of the week quickly grew into a force to be reckoned with, highlighting the growing concerns over the increasing frequency and severity of what were once considered smaller storms. Unpredictable Micro-Climates Weather forecasting has always been a complex science. Small variations can escalate into massive shifts in local climates, often with disastrous consequences. The seemingly insignificant storm detected earlier last week is a stark reminder of this unpredictability. The increasingly capricious nature of these weather patterns, in particular, signals an alarming trend in our changing climate. The Onslaught of Smaller Storms Traditionally, the greatest fear associate...

Chicago migrants crammed on sidewalk with belongings after being locked out of police station

Chicago Migrants Evicted from Police Station, Gathered on Local Streets with Belongings In an unexpected turn of events on Wednesday, migrants were seen congregating on a bustling side street outside a police station in Chicago, surrounded by their personal items. This came after they were reportedly instructed to evacuate the building where they were being sheltered. Eviction from Police Station Causes Chaos Confirmed by several eyewitness accounts, a throng of migrants, alongside their mattresses, furnishings, carpets, and other personal items, found themselves cramped on the sidewalk outside 1st District police station located near 17th and State streets, Chicago. The doors to the police station were sealed shut, leaving the building's lobby desolate. Fox News Digital had contacted the Chicago Police Department and city officials in an attempt to elucidate the situation, with no response received at the time of reporting. Resettlement Challenges in the Wake o...