Their route is a succession of stages, each more dangerous than the next. Nearly 500 Haitian migrants were camping on Saturday, September 25, on the northern border of Colombia. They are preparing to begin on foot the crossing of the Darien jungle, bordering Panama, in their long odyssey to the United States, through Central America.
These migrants are installed in small tents usually used by hikers, on a hill, a stone’s throw from the entrance to the thick tropical jungle, a team from Agence France-Presse (AFP) found.
Previously, they crossed by boat the Gulf of Uraba, from the Colombian port town of Necocli, to disembark in the village of Acandi, from where they walk to the entrance of the primary forest. Some borrow motorcycles, paid a few dollars, or even horses rented by local peasants.
A two to three day crossing
The crossing of the Darien, a mountainous jungle infested with snakes, dotted with ravines and rife with criminal gangs, takes two to three days. Smugglers – locally nicknamed the “coyotes” – accompany them to the border for around 300 dollars (around 250 euros).
This walk through the rainforest is undoubtedly the most difficult stage of the trip to the United States of these Haitian migrants from Brazil, Chile or Argentina, where most had been settled for several years, after having fled the 2010 earthquake in their country (which killed over 200,000 people). During years of working in these South American countries, they have had time to save and they have dollars to finance their odyssey.
“We Haitians are living the most difficult situation in the world”, says Michaud Noel, 40, who is traveling with his brother and 14-year-old daughter. In the camp, some told AFP that they would sleep there and that at dawn on Sunday, they would continue their journey into the jungle. They arrived loaded with jerry cans of drinking water and other provisions. There are dozens of children in the caravan.
” American dream “
Despite the countless difficulties of their journey, and the announcement of the expulsion by the United States of thousands of their compatriots, the migrants remain firm in their desire to realize their “American dream”.
“Most of us have families in Haiti waiting for our help”, explains Mr. Duneu, climbing, baggage in hand, a hill leading to the tent camp. The road “Is a bit heavy”, he comments.