Last week, reports surfaced about the deaths of four Venezuelan migrants who perished while attempting to cross the Darién forest, a dangerous passage on the border between Colombia and Panama. An opposition figure named David Smolansky stated on social media that the Darién crossing has claimed lives and that another migrant died at the border between Bolivia and Chile. Smolansky explained that the information was verified through officials, civil society actors, and journalists via the office of the Organization of American States Secretary General that coordinates work related to the Venezuelan migrant crisis. He identified the deceased as individuals from the Venezuelan states of Mérida, Falcón, and Carabobo, including a minor and a police officer, and noted ongoing efforts to confirm details surrounding the border fatality in Chile and Bolivia.
The Darién Gap remains a highly inhospitable and perilous route used by thousands of migrants en route to North America. The terrain, weather, and the presence of armed groups contribute to its notoriety as one of the most dangerous corridors for migration. Official records indicate that this year has seen a substantial flow of irregular migrants through Darién, with a large share coming from Haiti and Venezuela and aiming to reach destinations in the United States or Canada in search of improved living conditions and opportunities.
According to the most recent update from the Regional Interagency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V), as of mid July, approximately 6,150,000 people had left Venezuela, with about 5,090,000 of them residing in Latin America and the Caribbean. This migration dynamic underscores the ongoing regional impact of Venezuela’s crisis and the challenges faced by host communities, humanitarian organizations, and governments as they respond to displacement, protect vulnerable travelers, and address the broader implications for regional stability and social systems.