Laura Beatriz Pacheco | 2023-11-07

BOGOTA -- Social networks, particularly TikTok, have emerged as the primary tool utilized by human traffickers to ensnare migrants attempting to traverse the perilous Darien jungle, a treacherous path linking Colombia and Panama.

Between 2,000 and 3,000 individuals traverse this region daily, non-governmental organizations estimate.

TikTok stands out as one of the primary platforms where these illicit groups heavily promote their activities, but their presence can also be observed on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Telegram, the latter two commonly employing closed group settings.

"There are dozens of private WhatsApp groups dedicated to migrant discussions. Venezuelans, Cubans and Haitians each maintain their separate groups," revealed an anonymous security analyst residing in the region, who shared this information with Entorno.

These networks serve as a resource for migrants to access guides detailing the process of navigating the dense jungle, a region dominated by the Gulf Clan -- an infamous Colombian criminal organization notorious for its involvement in drug trafficking, kidnappings, extortion, human trafficking and various other illicit activities.

"Welcome! Please leave a message, and we'll get back to you promptly. Include your name, nationality, group size and travel date," are some of the greeting messages provided by one of the TikTok accounts surveyed by Entorno, boasting over 43,000 followers.

The trek across this over 100km-long expanse typically spans anywhere from five to ten days, contingent on the specific route chosen. Along this passage, migrants employ various modes of transportation and certain groups even go so far as to assign identifying bracelets to their clients, reminiscent of a guided tour.

These mafias deceptively promote their guided tour as "humanitarian aid," presenting it as a supposedly "safer and more humane" option for migrants.

In reality, it has evolved into a source of employment for residents in this region, which has been historically plagued by poverty and violence instigated by criminal organizations.

"I simply aim to inform people and offer guidance, without seeking fame or financial gain, as this can lead to jealousy," shared one of the administrators of these accounts in an informal communication with Entorno, declining a formal interview.

Human remains litter path

Capurgana, a region within Darien, boasts some of the Colombian Pacific's most exquisite hidden beaches. Traditionally, its population relied on tourism for its livelihoods. However, since the migration crisis emerged in 2015, many locals have turned to human trafficking as an alternative source of income.

"The tourist route that once existed has vanished. If you venture along that wooded path today, you'll encounter a disturbing sight -- heaps of garbage and human remains, as tragic fatalities occur in these treacherous conditions," the specialist lamented.

The significant increase in the number of migrants in the region has led to human trafficking becoming a more profitable endeavor for some of the illegal armed groups operating in the area, surpassing the income derived from drug trafficking. Furthermore, it has less physical risk for criminals than drug trafficking does.

The trailblazers for the illicit passage through the Darien included Colombians fleeing the domestic conflict. Subsequently, Cubans began to utilize this route, entering Colombia via Venezuela, capitalizing on the entry privileges extended to them during the tenure of the late former Venezuelan president, Hugo Chávez.

Nonetheless, the spectrum of nationalities has broadened, with migrants now arriving not only from various Latin American nations but also from diverse countries in Africa and Asia.

When migrants embarked on their journey through this densely forested region, the security analysts elucidated that it was not the cartels involved; instead, it was the "coyotes" (human traffickers) who managed that enterprise.

Crimes

The scenario has significantly evolved, and the battle for control of this lucrative business now involves the ruthless Tren de Aragua gang, known for its extensive experience in extorting Venezuelans, who constitute the majority of those crossing this border.

Apart from providing daily updates on the status of the groups they traffic, these criminal organizations on social media platforms showcase purported success stories of individuals who have seemingly achieved the "American dream."

Yet, the dream frequently deteriorates into a harrowing reality for numerous travelers as they fall prey to a range of crimes during their journey, including robberies, extortion, sexual abuse and even murder.

Araceli Bolivar, a Venezuelan migrant, expressed her disillusionment, saying, "You watch TikTok, and you get carried away by what you see. Everything looks beautiful, but, in reality, it's not like that. So, when people ask me if it's as they show on TikTok, my answer is: well, no... it's actually worse. I wish someone would explain what it's truly like," in a recent interview with La Estrella de Panamá newspaper.

The manuals are exceedingly detailed, even specifying the type of clothing, footwear and medications to carry in one's backpack. They also provide information about the optimal season for crossing this jungle, which is deemed one of the most perilous on the planet. This dense forest is inhabited by a variety of dangerous species like pumas, jaguars, snakes, alligators and poisonous frogs.

As of mid-October, more than 435,000 migrants had made the perilous journey through the Darien jungle so far this year, with approximately 23% of them being minors, according to the Panamanian National Immigration Service.

The Darien Gap was witnessing a daily influx of 2,000 to 3,000 migrants in May, the Red Cross reported at the time.

Legal pathway

In July, the US Department of Homeland Security launched a new program aiming to provide a legal pathway for certain Central Americans and Colombians to enter the United States, thereby deterring prospective migrants from perilous journeys to cross the US southern border illegally.

This initiative permits qualified migrants from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to travel to the United States by air and, upon meeting specific criteria -- such as having relatives who are US citizens or legal residents with filed visa applications on their behalf, to obtain government work permits.

Authorities have leveraged their parole authority to admit a monthly quota of up to 30,000 individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela who have US sponsors.

Also implemented is a system to process tens of thousands of asylum seekers while they are in Mexico. This is facilitated through a government mobile phone app called CBP One, enabling individuals to secure appointments to enter the United States.