Darien Gap: Deadly 97-Km Jungle Crossing That Migrants Brave To Reach US

New Delhi:

The United States recently deported 104 Indian migrants, handcuffed and shackled for a nearly 24-hour flight back to India. The deportation came after US President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, a topic he recently discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a phone call, AP reported.

The illegal journey into the US often involves dangerous crossings through multiple countries, including the treacherous Darien Gap – a vast, roadless jungle that connects Colombia and Panama.

The Darien Gap is a 97-km stretch of dense rainforest, swamps, and mountains. It is the only break in the Pan-American Highway – a road system stretching from Alaska to Argentina. This impenetrable region has long been avoided due to its extreme terrain, harsh climate, and lack of infrastructure. But for migrants desperate to reach the US, it has become an unavoidable gateway.

Those crossing the Darien Gap face steep mountains, muddy swamplands, fast-moving rivers, and dangerous wildlife. The jungle is home to venomous snakes, jaguars, and deadly insects. However, the most significant threats are from criminal organisations that control the route. The smuggling networks, drug cartels, and armed groups demand payments, rob migrants, or subject them to violence.