Sharp rise in child migration to Panama through Darien Gap, UNICEF says

The number of child migrants crossing a dangerous stretch of jungle dividing Colombia and Panama has rapidly increased during the first four months of this year, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.

The thick jungle terrain of the Darien Gap, which is also home to roving bands of criminals, has become a key transit point for thousands of mostly U.S.-bound migrants setting out in search of better lives from South America.

A record 25,431 children and teens, both accompanied and unaccompanied, entered Panama through the Darien Gap between January and April, according to a statement from UNICEF provided to Reuters.

The sharp rise in minor crossings marks an eight-fold increase compared to the same four-month period last year, when just over 3,000 children and teen migrants made the treacherous trek, according to the UNICEF data.