Key Takeaways:
– Hundreds of Venezuelan migrants are returning home after failing to reach the US.
– The dangerous Darien Gap jungle and tight US policies pushed them back.
– Many spent thousands of dollars and risked their lives, only to return with nothing.
– They face a tough journey home, with some losing their lives along the way.
– Governments are failing to provide promised help for these migrants.
Migrants Face a Tough Return Journey
Saudy Palacios, a 27-year-old Venezuelan, once dreamed of a better life in the US. Now, she’s heading back home, disappointed and hopeless. “There’s no American dream anymore,” she said. Saudy and her family joined many other migrants taking boats from Panama to Colombia, avoiding the dangerous Darien Gap jungle.
These migrants, including children, are returning home after failing to reach the US. Many blame President Donald Trump’s strict policies for ending their hopes. Saudy waited nine months for a chance to seek asylum, only to see it disappear when Trump took office.
Why Are Migrants Returning?
The journey to the US was already tough. Many migrants crossed the Darien Gap, a dangerous jungle between Colombia and Panama. They faced fast rivers, wild animals, and criminal gangs.
Now, returning home is just as hard. Saudy’s family spent over $2,000 to go back. They relied on relatives in Venezuela to send $250 for the boat ride. Most migrants are in debt, spending between $5,000 and $10,000 on their failed trips.
Astrid Zapata, a Venezuelan migrant, said, “There’s no future in the US now. I’m scared to go back through the jungle. One mother lost two children there. I saw them drown in the river.”
The Cost of Broken Dreams
Migrants have struggled to survive on their way back. Many sleep in shelters or on the streets. They go hungry and even sell candy at traffic lights to pay for buses or boats.
Karla Pena, a 37-year-old Venezuelan, crossed the Darien Gap with her baby and family. “It was the worst experience of my life,” she said. Now, she’s in a shelter in Honduras, afraid of what’s next.
Maria Aguillon, from Ecuador, lost a son and left her country to escape violence. She crossed the Darien Gap but was separated from her husband in Panama. Now, she’s trying to find work in Costa Rica.
Yaniret Morales, a 38-year-old mother, is also starting over. She plans to save money and try to emigrate again, but not to the US.
Return Journey is Risky
While the boat ride from Panama to Colombia avoids the jungle, it’s still dangerous. A recent boat sank, killing an 8-year-old Venezuelan girl.
Saudy’s family and others like them feel let down by governments. Panama and Costa Rica have kept migrants in remote shelters, breaking promises of help.
“They promised humanitarian flights, but it was all lies,” Saudy said. “We’re returning home with broken dreams.”
A Hard Path Ahead
Migrants face a tough road ahead. Many are without passports and money. They’ve risked their lives only to return home with nothing.
Astrid Zapata, now in a shelter in Costa Rica, hung a Venezuelan flag in her small room. “There’s no future in the US, but I’m scared to go back through the jungle. It’s hard, but we have no choice.”
Conclusion: A Failed Journey
These migrants left their homes seeking a better life but found only danger and disappointment. Many are now starting over, hoping to save money and try again, but this time, not heading to the US.
Their stories show the human cost of failed migration attempts. They return home with broken dreams, hoping for a better future, but knowing the road ahead will be tough.