Eleven Venezuelans, nine Ecuadorians and five Colombians who planned to migrate illegally to Central America and then to the United States were rescued by the Colombian Navy on the morning of this Wednesday, December 20. Eight minors were part of the group. Two Colombian crew members charged with transporting the migrants were also detained.

The Colombian Navy detected through its radars a suspicious ship moving rapidly towards the south of San Andrés Island, and therefore sent a team to intercept it. The neighboring country’s authority said the ship planned to make the journey despite unfavorable weather conditions that were “typical” for this time of year.

The Ecuadorian disappeared in the Darién Gap, a person traveling with his group called his mother to tell her that he had died

“The rescued were taken to the coast guard station of (the island of) San Andrés to verify their health status, where they were then made available to Colombian immigration officials, while the minors were handed over to the family police station. Departmental,” the authority said in a statement. The two Colombian crew members were also made available to the Colombian Public Prosecution Service.

Entering Central America irregularly from South America is an option to avoid crossing the Darién jungle, the natural border between Panama and Colombia, because of its danger. The number of people who have crossed the land border between the two countries already exceeds 500,000 in 2023, including almost 55,000 Ecuadorians, according to data from the Panamanian Immigration Service. (JO)

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