People are waiting for a ticket to Necolí.
Courtesy | Migrants join the transit that is recorded by the dates of festivities
The Colombian authorities announced a massive arrival of Venezuelan migrants at the North Transport Terminal of Medellín, in the department of Antioquia, whose daily traffic registered an increase in ticket sales to Necolí, the gateway to the Darién Jungle.
The Voice of America consulted Samir Echeverri, director of the Antioquia Passenger Carriers Association (AsociacionATPA), who warned that the situation might collapse the place due to the considerable increase in migrants.
People join the passenger traffic that for this time of the end of the year increases considerably due to different festivities.
“Twenty days ago the transit had approximately 200 people, eight days ago it increased to 600 migrants and right now we find ourselves with a flow of 1,000 and 1,200 people,” said Echeverri.
He also added that “due to the situation, the authorities might restrict the daily number of migrant departures through the terminal.”
On the other hand, the migrants complain regarding the high prices of the tickets that have prevented them from leaving for the Darién Gap.
“Last night they cost 65,000 pesos [15 dólares] and now they cost 120,000 pesos [26 dólares]. Many of us have been here for days hoping that this problem can be solved and we hope for a solution as soon as possible,” said Abraham Morales, a Venezuelan citizen.
Another Venezuelan, Robinson Rujano, complained to VOA regarding the same situation.
“I have been since Sunday; I was waiting for my son and some relatives who were on their way (…) With more passenger demand they are increasing our ticket, it is already impossible to buy. We call on the authorities to control prices,” he explained.
According to figures from the Colombian Ombudsman, so far in 2022, some 68,575 Venezuelan migrants have made the journey through this jungle corridor that unites Colombia and Panama, in their desire to reach the United States.
Precisely from the Colombian defense organization, they reiterated to the foreign ministries of Colombia and Panama the possibility of implementing a humanitarian corridor to guarantee that those who cross the Darién Gap do so safely.
“We need a shock plan that considers additional measures, such as the creation of a humanitarian bridge that facilitates the transit of children, adolescents, pregnant women and nursing mothers without having to expose their lives and integrity when facing dangers,” he reported. this Wednesday the Ombudsman of Colombia.
It should be remembered that last week the Panamanian National Border Service (Senafront) announced the death of a six-year-old Venezuelan boy in the Tres Bocas area in the Darién jungle following the group with which he was traveling was assaulted. .
The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, said on September 28, during the appointment of the new director of Migration Colombia, Carlos Fernando García, that a route should be established led by the Colombian migratory entity for the assistance of migrants who decide to enter Colombia. the Darien jungle.
“Our role is to assist in a difficult geographical area. Stay there, perhaps with helicopter assistance, to attend to the people who are on that death route,” the Colombian presidency account wrote on Twitter on September 12.
Also as part of #GovernmentOfChange Pablo Pardo, Director of the Fund for Special Programs for Peace; José Reyes, Director of the Special Administrative Unit of the Defense Sector; and Mauricio Katz, Liquidator of the Truth Commission.
– Colombia Presidency ???????? (@infopresidencia) September 28, 2022
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