The Daily

A Mother, a Daughter, a Deadly Journey

Jan 20, 2023

Julie Turkewitz, Andes bureau chief for The New York Times and a migration expert, shares a gripping narrative about a mother and daughter navigating the dangers of the Darién Gap. They endure harrowing conditions in Central America, driven by desperation from economic collapse and harsh policy changes. The heart-wrenching story reflects the profound sacrifices made by families in search of safety, highlighting the emotional toll and the perilous journey through treacherous landscapes, exploitative traffickers, and profound loss.

38:29

Creator website

Episode guests

Julie Turkewitz

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

The Paradox of the US-Venezuelan Relationship

01:20

Take Your Chance

01:06

Intro

4min

Perils of the Darien Gap

14min

A Heart-Wrenching Journey Through the Darien Gap

5min

A Mother's Journey for Hope

9min

Journey Through Despair

7min

Political Updates: Supreme Court Leak Investigation and U.S. Debt Limit

2min

With mountains, intense mud, fast-running rivers and thick rainforest, the Darién Gap, a strip of terrain connecting South and Central America, is one of the most dangerous places on the planet.

Over the past few years, there has been an enormous increase in the number of migrants passing through the perilous zone in the hopes of getting to the United States.

Today, we hear the story of one family that’s risking everything to make it across.

Guest: Julie Turkewitz, the Andes bureau chief for The New York Times.

Background reading:

The pandemic, climate change and growing conflict are forcing a seismic shift in global migration.
Two crises are converging at the Darién Gap: an economic and humanitarian disaster underway in South America, and the bitter fight over immigration policy in Washington.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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