Dozens of immigrants crossing the Darién jungle, one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world, have hastened their journey toward the U.S. border following Donald Trump's victory in the presidential election, as he has threatened to eliminate the CBP One program.
"We are trying to get there as soon as possible, before January, to see if we have an opportunity with CBP One," said a migrant to the AP agency.
This program operates through an online portal of the United States government that allows migrants to schedule an appointment to apply for asylum at the border.
However, the elected president has stated that he will put an end to it, as well as to the humanitarian parole established by Joe Biden for Cubans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans.
The tightening of their immigration policies, including the potential removal of the portal, heightens the fear of mass deportations and closes off legal pathways for those seeking asylum.
The Darién jungle remains a dangerous and demanding route, with a migratory flow that does not significantly decrease, although the composition of nationalities has varied.
While Venezuelans make up the majority, people from African and Asian countries also traverse this route, highlighting the scale of this global migration crisis. In the past year, fewer and fewer Cubans have ventured along this path.
Analysts estimate that Trump's return to the White House could drive many migrants to resort to illegal methods, thereby increasing the demand for smugglers and exposing them to criminal groups.
The former Mexican ambassador to the United States, Martha Bárcena, stated that these harsh immigration policies benefit organized crime, as the profits from human trafficking surpass those from drug trafficking.
In the case of Cubans, the number crossing the Darién has decreased, with some opting for safer routes such as the Nicaraguan one; nevertheless, their aim remains to reach the United States, amid increasing restrictions and a worsening widespread crisis on the island.
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