Panama’s President-Elect Wants to Close the Darien Jungle Route and Deport the Migrants

In 2023, 520,000 people crossed the Darién jungle, including many Cubans 14ymedio, Havana, 12 May 2024 — The president-elect of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, who will assume the office in July, promises to “end the Darién odyssey.” During his proclamation, he said that the Darién jungle route between Colombia and Panama, through which more than 70,000 … Continue reading “Panama’s President-Elect Wants to Close the Darien Jungle Route and Deport the Migrants”

Migrant Women With Children Risk Rape and Robbery in the ‘Hell’ of the Darien Jungle

So far this year, 104,000 adults have crossed, of which 35% are women Moncho Torres/EFE, Bajo Chiquito (Panama), 4 May 2024 — Migration has long ceased to be something only for men. Women alone, with children or with their partners, leave their homes behind and cross through the “hell” of the Darién jungle, where they … Continue reading “Migrant Women With Children Risk Rape and Robbery in the ‘Hell’ of the Darien Jungle”

More than 520,000 Migrants Crossed the Darien Jungle in 2023. 120,000 Were Minors

EFE (via 14ymedio), Panama, 2 January 2024 — Panamanian authorities said on Monday that 2023 closed with 520,085 migrants having crossed the Darién jungle, of which 120,000 were minors, a record figure compared to the 248,283 migrants in 2022, who followed this dangerous route to North America in pursuit of better horizons. Venezuelans, 328,667; Ecuadorians, … Continue reading “More than 520,000 Migrants Crossed the Darien Jungle in 2023. 120,000 Were Minors”

Almost 500,000 Migrants Have Crossed the Darien Jungle So Far This Year, Twice As Many as in All of 2022

EFE (via 14ymedio), Bogota, December 1, 2023 — Almost 500,000 migrants have crossed the Darién Jungle region on the border between Colombia and Panama, one of the most used and dangerous routes in the journey of these people on their trip to the United States, Médicos Sin Fronteras (MSF) revealed this Thursday. According to this … Continue reading “Almost 500,000 Migrants Have Crossed the Darien Jungle So Far This Year, Twice As Many as in All of 2022”

At Least 36 Migrants Died Trying to Cross the Darien Jungle in 2022

EFE (via 14ymedio), Geneva, 17 January 2023 — At least 36 migrants died in 2022 when they tried to cross the Darien jungle, on the border between Panama and Colombia, one of the most dangerous routes in the world, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Tuesday. The figure, derived from data from the … Continue reading “At Least 36 Migrants Died Trying to Cross the Darien Jungle in 2022”

For Cuban Newswoman Yailen Insua, Crossing the Darien Jungle was Less Dangerous than the Mexican Mafia

14ymedio, Havana, 23 December 2022 — Yailén Insúa Alarcón, former director of the Cuban Television Information System and the morning program Buenos Días, arrived in the United States on December 19 after a complicated journey through the Darién jungle, and after being scammed and detained in Mexico. “I arrived in the land of liberty on … Continue reading “For Cuban Newswoman Yailen Insua, Crossing the Darien Jungle was Less Dangerous than the Mexican Mafia”

In 2021, 133,726 Migrants Passed Through the Darien Gap, One of the Most Dangerous Border Crossings

EFE (via 14ymedio), Necoclí, Colombia, 8 October 2022 — In the Colombian town of Necoclí they are already used to hundreds of people camping on their beaches every day to wait for boats that will take them to the border with Panama, on a migration to the United States that is constantly growing and threatens … Continue reading “In 2021, 133,726 Migrants Passed Through the Darien Gap, One of the Most Dangerous Border Crossings”

More Migrants Have Now Crossed the Panamanian Darién Than in All of 2021

EFE/14ymedio, Panama, 24 September 2022 — A total of 134,178 migrants in transit to North America have arrived in Panama this year after crossing the Darién, the dangerous border jungle with Colombia, above the historic figure of 133,726 in 2021, the Government reported on Friday. “Panama is strengthening its humanitarian and security teams that work … Continue reading “More Migrants Have Now Crossed the Panamanian Darién Than in All of 2021”

‘A Part of Me Died in the Darien Jungle’ says Dr. Figueredo on His Crossing to the United States

14ymedio, Havana, 20 June 2022 — Dr. Alexander Jesús Figueredo Izaguirre, who lost his job due to his stance against the Cuban government and after being systematically harassed left the island, shared part of his journey to the United States on his social networks. “A part of me died in the Darién jungle seeing lost … Continue reading “‘A Part of Me Died in the Darien Jungle’ says Dr. Figueredo on His Crossing to the United States”

Panama’s Darien Gap, a Mediterranean Without Boats or Headlines / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez

14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Panama, 23 October 2016 — If anything deserves to be called “tropical” it is the Darien jungle in the south of Panama. Humidity, mosquitoes and heat makes moving within the dense vegetation of the area a superhuman task. Through the dense jungle extends one of the most dangerous migratory routes of the world. A Mediterranean … Continue reading “Panama’s Darien Gap, a Mediterranean Without Boats or Headlines / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez”

Havana Chronicles: The Time For Reforms Has Passed

Amid blackouts, protests, and empty bus stops, Cubans are receiving the 176 economic measures announced by the government with skepticism. 14ymedio, Yoani Sánchez, Havana, June 20, 2026 / She carefully climbs onto the electric tricycle, while clarifying that she has had knee surgery. At 81, she says she dedicated her entire life to training athletes … Continue reading “Havana Chronicles: The Time For Reforms Has Passed”

Havana Chronicles: Along Carlos III Street and Towards Ethiopia

Without internet, without public transport, and with appliances destroyed, Havana seems to be returning to its harshest origins. 14ymedio, Havana, Yoani Sánchez, May 18, 2026 — “You have to go straight on Carlos III,” a weary-looking state employee tells me when I ask for directions to shop that repairs electric pressure cookers. With no internet … Continue reading “Havana Chronicles: Along Carlos III Street and Towards Ethiopia”

Cuba Has a “Disastrous Finish” in the World Baseball Classic and for the First Time Fails To Pass the First Round

Canada defeats Team Asere 7–2 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. 14ymedio, Havana, March 12, 2026 – The squad managed by Germán Mesa had a “disastrous finish” on the field of Hiram Bithorn Stadium, acknowledged the pro-government media Jit. Cuba’s 2–7 loss to Canada hurt. The game not only exposed the weaknesses of Team Asere but also … Continue reading “Cuba Has a “Disastrous Finish” in the World Baseball Classic and for the First Time Fails To Pass the First Round”

More Than 22,000 Cubans Fled the Island to Settle in Uruguay in 2025

Last year also marked a historic record for Cuban nationals receiving Uruguayan ID cards: 13,852 14ymedio, Madrid, February 10, 2026 – Never before had so many Cubans entered Uruguay as last year—more than 22,000—nor had so many obtained the South American country’s national ID card, 13,852. According to data from the National Directorate of Migration … Continue reading “More Than 22,000 Cubans Fled the Island to Settle in Uruguay in 2025”

Cuba Will Go to the World Baseball Classic and Has Now Handed Over a Preliminary Roster of 50 Players

Manager Germán Mesa’s call includes Andy Pagés, Yoán Moncada and Zach Neto, while the case of Yariel Rodríguez is still not defined 14ymedio, Havana, December 4, 2025 — Finally, and after weeks of uncertainty, Cuba will participate in the World Baseball Classic. According to Cuban Baseball Digest, the Island’s national team “has the necessary permits … Continue reading “Cuba Will Go to the World Baseball Classic and Has Now Handed Over a Preliminary Roster of 50 Players”