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Caracas.- The Darien jungle It has been characterized as a route full of dangers to which migrants seeking to arrive irregularly in the United States are subjected. For this reason, some have chosen to board irregular boats from the Island of San Andresin Colombia, something that also means high fees for Venezuelans who leave their country.
The island of San Andrés is less than 110 kilometers from Nicaragua. The migrants arrive by plane from Bogotá, Medellín or other Colombian areas and then depart in irregular boats to Corn Island, and then to the port of Bluefields, both in Nicaragua.
It has become popular among Venezuelans seeking to reach the United States without a visa, and thus avoid the risks of the Darien jungle; however, the route from the Colombian island also supposes dangers, shipwrecks, lack of life jackets, transfer of gasoline drums, robbery on the high seas and strong waves.
Officer of the Colombian National Navy Octavio Gutierrezstated in an interview with CNN en Español that irregular transporters charge a fee that ranges from 1,000 up to 4,000 dollars to transfer Venezuelan migrants.
At least 19 Venezuelans have died in traffic accidents in Central America
Those who decide to use this route by high seas must pay for a Tourist Card which has a value of 30 dollars; plane tickets to the island that vary from 100 to 140 dollars, depending on the area of Colombia from which you leave; lodging for 2 or 3 days in San Andrés, which can cost $50 per nightand finally the irregular boats.
“This route does not replace the jungle route, it is more expensive. People can spend up to $5,000 to get to the United States because the boats are expensive, the plane ticket, lodging, transportation, food and permits in each country. Everything will depend on the conditions in which they travel”, Louis counteda Venezuelan migrant, to the whistle.
Some tourism agencies offer travel packages to the island of San Andrés from Medellín, department of Antioquia, for 85 dollars. There are also publications where unknown persons offer to coordinate boat trips, but do not attach specifications regarding prices or departure points.
Editorial The PitazoVista_2
Editorial The PitazoVista_2