Venezuelan migrants collapse the Medellín stations on their way to the Darién Gap

The Colombian authorities announced on Wednesday a massive arrival of Venezuelan migrants at the Transportation Terminal of the North of Medellín, in the department of Antioquia, where between 1,000 and 1,200 migrants are transiting daily to this terminal in search of a bus ticket to Necoclí, the gateway to the dangerous jungle of the Darien Gap.

The voice of america consulted Samir Echeverri, director of the Passenger Transport Association of Antioquia (AsociacionATPA), who warned that the situation could collapse the place due to the considerable increase in migrants who join the transit of people that for this time of the end of the year increases so considerable for different festivities.

“Twenty days ago the transit had approximately 200 people, eight days ago it increased to 600 migrants and right now we find a flow of 1,000 and 1,200 people,” said Echeverri, who added that “due to the situation, the authorities could restrict the daily number of departures of migrants through the terminal”.

On the other hand, the migrants complain about the high prices of the tickets that have prevented them from leaving for the Darién Gap.

“Last night they cost 65,000 pesos [15 dólares] and now they cost 120,000 pesos [26 dólares]. Many of us have been here for days hoping that this problem can be solved and we hope for a solution as soon as possible,” said Abraham Morales, a Venezuelan citizen.

Another Venezuelan, Robinson Rujano, complained to the VOA of the same situation.

“I have been since Sunday; I was waiting for my son and some relatives who were on their way (…) With more passenger demand they are increasing our ticket, it is already impossible to buy. We call on the authorities to control prices,” she explained.

According to figures from the Colombian Ombudsman, so far in 2022, some 68,575 Venezuelan migrants have made the journey through this jungle corridor that unites Colombia and Panama, in their desire to reach the United States.

Precisely from the Colombian defense organization, they reiterated to the foreign ministries of Colombia and Panama the possibility of implementing a humanitarian corridor to guarantee that those who cross the Darién Gap do so safely.

“We need a shock plan that considers additional measures, such as the creation of a humanitarian bridge that facilitates the transit of children, adolescents, pregnant women and nursing mothers without having to expose their lives and integrity when facing dangers,” he reported. this Wednesday the Ombudsman of Colombia.

It should be remembered that last week the Panamanian National Border Service (Senafront) announced the death of a six-year-old Venezuelan boy in the Tres Bocas area in the Darién jungle after the group with which he was traveling was assaulted. .

The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, said on September 28, during the appointment of the new director of Migration Colombia, Carlos Fernando García, that a route should be established led by the Colombian migratory entity for the assistance of migrants who decide to enter Colombia. the Darien jungle.

“Our role is to assist in a difficult geographical area. Stay there, perhaps with helicopter assistance, to attend to the people who are on that death route,” the Colombian presidency account wrote on Twitter on September 12.

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