Global Migration Surges through Colombian-Panamanian Jungle Highway

The jungle between Colombia and Panama has become a treacherous highway for migrants from around the world, with over 506,000 migrants, mostly Venezuelans, crossing the Darien jungle by mid-December, double the previous year's record. The number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean or the Atlantic to reach Europe has also surged, leading to tougher immigration legislation. The journey for migrants is filled with challenges, including deep mud, rushing rivers, bandits, and extortion attempts by authorities and smugglers. Mexico's immigration system has been chaotic, with migrants being circulated around the country and subjected to repeated detentions for extortion.