Child migrants crossing Darien Gap surge eightfold, UNICEF says

By Elida Moreno
May 30, 20238:12 PM EDTUpdated a day ago







A migrant lies in a tent at a temporary shelter during acting U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan (not pictured) visit in the village of La Penita, Panama August 23, 2019. REUTERS/Erick Marciscano


PANAMA CITY, May 30 (Reuters) - The number of child migrants crossing a dangerous stretch of jungle dividing Colombia and Panama has rapidly increased during the first four months of this year, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.

The thick jungle terrain of the Darien Gap, which is also home to roving bands of criminals, has become a key transit point for thousands of mostly U.S.-bound migrants setting out in search of better lives from South America.

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