The Documentary Podcast The Fifth Floor: Stranded in Panama
Apr 12, 2025
Santiago Vanegas, a BBC Mundo journalist, shares gripping insights from his coverage of Venezuelan migrants navigating a perilous return home through Central America. He highlights their struggles, particularly focusing on Adrianiela, a young mother facing the dangers of the Darien Gap with her toddler. Vanegas sheds light on health risks, threats from gangs, and the psychological toll of their journey. Additionally, he critiques the inadequate government responses and the harsh realities of migrant detention in Panama, painting a vivid picture of their dire circumstances.
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Adrianiela's Journey
- Adrianiela, a Venezuelan woman, traveled to the US with her two-year-old daughter, seeking a better future.
- She crossed the Darien Gap, a dangerous jungle, and reached Mexico, but couldn't cross the border legally due to Trump's policies.
Darien Gap Dangers
- The Darien Gap crossing is dangerous due to wild animals, diseases, and criminal gangs.
- Migrant crossings have decreased due to Trump's policies and Panamanian restrictions.
Perilous Boat Trips
- Migrants pay $300 for unsafe boat trips from Panama to Colombia.
- These boats are unsuitable for long distances, and journeys are dangerous, sometimes worse than crossing the Darien Gap.