Migrating to the US through the deadly Darien Gap | Fault Lines Documentary

Swanny Flores fled Ecuador with her two young daughters and 12-year-old brother after her boyfriend, a local gang leader, murdered her mother and threatened to kill the rest of her family.
She wants to apply for asylum in the United States, but the only way to get there is through the Darien Gap, a 106km (66-mile) stretch of remote and perilous jungle in Colombia and Panama that is the only land route for migrants heading north from South America.
Amid historic regional migration and new travel restrictions from countries in Central America for migrants, the Darien Gap has become one of the most travelled migration routes in the world and a burgeoning humanitarian crisis. Last year, more than half a million people went through the jungle. A quarter of them were children. This is the story of one family’s journey through the Darien Gap.
- Subscribe to our channel: aje.io/AJSubscribe
- Follow us on Twitter: / ajfaultlines
- Follow us on Facebook: / ajfaultlines
- Follow us on Instagram: / ajfaultlines
- Check our website: www.aljazeera.com/program/fau...
Credits:
Producer: Mark Scialla
Correspondent: John Holman
Directors of Photography: Rodrigo Galdos
Editor: Adi Haspel
Executive Producer: Laila Al-Arian
Additional Production: Luis del Valle
Special Thanks: Nico Jones
Fact-checking: Abdulai Bah
Digital Producer: Riham Mansour
#migration #documentary #US #asylum
#aljazeeraenglish

[@moymoy8]

the 13 year old boy took care of that baby and got her safely out that jungle. what an incredible young man!

[@TTOS69]

How do you know it was the truth? You don't. You weren't there. Only he and that little girl was. He could have purposely ran off with her, assaulted her, then said his little armed story. The food could be gone bc he ate it. People quit making judgements based on one side of a story. That little girl could have been taken advantage of. She also could have not been taken advantage of. We weren't there; no one was. Great parenting btw to not keep you small daughter in your sight at least since you handed her off to another child...

[@mariamorales2718]

Muchas bendiciones para ti y tu familia...y a tu hermanito ayudalo que el esconde un gran dolor...

[@BeALighthouse]

Absolutely he is. So sad this has to happen.

[@SuannyFlores]

@@mariamorales2718Dios me la bendiga ♥️

[@wangariwairimu1st]

😢😢😢 things these kids are going through 😩😩 may the Most High protect them and fullFill their wish to make through 😕... Peace is priceless for sure, seeing this makes one appreciate little things in life 😧 cried tears of joy after they found the boy and the girl who've been missing for days 😭

[@kimmyymmik]

I just don’t think putting children at risk is worth it. They should always have a trusted adult to keep children in their country and send money and eventually bring them. It’s too risky, not worth it :(

[@wangariwairimu1st]

@@kimmyymmik Did you hear the reasons? Especially the featured woman....her ex boyfriend was to kill her kids next after he killed her mother! If you know how things run in Latin America countries you would have a different perspective why they leave and risk their kids life....they literally have no choice... staying back is guaranteed ☠️ death!

[@truthbtoldwright6411]

@@kimmyymmik As a parent myself, I would never risk leaving my child or children in a country that I'm too fearful to live in. People can't hardly feed their kids or themselves, so why would they agree to look after my children? It's a difficult choice to make but I could never forgive myself if I made that journey and helped other children along the way to then discover that my children had starved to death or been hurt, murdered in my homeland. If I'd found myself in this situation I'd definitely take the risk and bring my children. People make different choices in life, some we win and some we lose, that's life.

[@SuannyFlores]

Hola buenas soy Swanny protagonista de este video ,me alegro mucho poder haber salido en esto video y que vean que la selva del Darién no es ruta no traigan a sus hijos a sufrir mis hijas h hermano todos sufrimos estamos Agradecido con Dios por haber llegado ya a mi destino 🥺

[@soypipo4783]

Ah ok, como te llegas a atrever a llamarte protagonista si el zaid fue quien más tiempo tuvo

[@saldussapnai3464]

God bless u❤

[@nayelidefas5636]

Primis que guerreros todos enserio se me hizo el corazón chiquito pero se que dios los está bendiciendo en su nueva vida 🥹

[@malcriadamedina5358]

buenas vibras Suanny! No eschuches a la gente negativa y que bueno que dejastes a estos reporteros filmarte, sin gente como tu no pudieramos hacer nuestro trabajo.

[@h0tcheetomami]

swanny, llore con ustedes. Gracias a dios que estan bien.

[@Itsntsikayomzi_]

Oh God these kids go through the most painful situations 😭💔. My heart is in pieces .

[@kanivea]

When you get a viewer to shed a few happy tears, it's a thumbs up video. IMO

[@marvellholmes7100]

This documentary moved me to tears, may god bless this family here in the US. Im happy you ALL made it safe. Enjoy your new life ❤

[@SuannyFlores]

Muchas gracias,Dios lo bendiga.♥️

[@jl0m683]

Welcome to America the land of the free

[@Falcon03333]

Just could not control my tears. We think our problems are bigger. Looking at these people gives goosebumps.

[@burnicedavies9264]

I’m so grateful that I had it easy coming to America I cannot even imagine going through this to come to America.they are very strong to put themselves and their families in danger just to come to America I really admire them.

[@SuannyFlores]

Muchas gracias por sus buenos deseo y no tiene malicia igual que los otros♥️

[@truthbtoldwright6411]

After travelling that horrendous journey these people will do well and will succeed in America, they are mentally strong survivors.

[@SuannyFlores]

Muchas gracias y bendiciones por sus buenos deseos 🤍

[@ntme9]

Land Rover and Jeep did expeditions in the '70s through the Darien gap.. It's unreal that there are still no gravel roads through it. I couldn't imagine walking it..

[@marry1321]

Interesting

[@alexxx7066]

Its in a corrupt country 😂

[@saberlove7232]

Wow I really had no idea that this existed. I mean, I've probably heard of it but not comprehending the risks involved. This is excellent journalism.

[@Lama-qh3nc]

Powerful reporting

[@ErnestoSun]

Thank you so much for going that far!

[@alexxx7066]

Shame on the corrupt latin American governments

[@blvckphillip3917]

There are so many reasons why a road hasn't been constructed through this treacherous jungle. I just watched a really informative video about the logistical nightmare it would be, plus the diplomatic reasons. In order for Panama to remain Panama, and not be forced into conflict with neighboring Colombia? It makes sense to leave the Darien Gap as it is.

[@dhanameetsnao]

This is so painful to watch. I feel the pain of these parents and children. I hope they are doing okay now.

[@Jouhatsu-oi5qg]

Peace be with you all! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Itsntsikayomzi_]

I’m so worried about the girl with 2 kids , May God protect her . 🥺❤️. Is there part 2 of where are they now ?

[@SuannyFlores]

Hola buenas estamos en Arizona muchas bendiciones ♥️

[@Nicky355]

@@SuannyFlores Congrats

[@belleyasmin1302]

​@@SuannyFlores Me alegra que lo hayas superado. Mantente a salvo siempre.

[@joshuajames1720]

poor poor people, god bless them all x

[@kattyllumiquinga7927]

Some people only talk from the comfort of their privileges and don’t understand that the situation of this family, especially coming from Ecuador. It’s obvious that no one wants to go through that kind of situation, neither does one to put their own children through that. But these people are just trying to survive and looking for a better life and future since they have lost everything and don’t have any support, neither from the relatives nor from the government. I hope that people would try to understand the situation instead of just making assumptions and attacking.

[@theetravellover]

yes very true. Sadly, many don't care about socio-economic issues until it affects them directly. Look at Black Americans' struggles being brought to the Americas as slaves, yet no one cares. Some people get upset if you even bring it up, you're told to get over it and move on. History is history and just because some people are uncomfortable with it doesn't mean you forget and stop talking about it.

[@SuannyFlores]

Exacto muchas gente tiene malicia, pero gracias a Dios estamos todos bien y pudimos llegar a nuestro destino mis hijas están bien gracias a Dios. Bendiciones ♥️

[@sandio9801]

If they were looking for a better life, why not stop in Colombia?! Why travel all the way to America???!!

[@TaShaBeNz85]

@@SuannyFloresthank God! Blessings❤

[@truthbtoldwright6411]

​@@sandio9801because they can have a better life in America then in Colombia, obviously.

[@kenrickjobe]

beautiful. Thank you for this

[@sudmudmud357]

Thanks for sharing this documentary….

[@nanthakumar1493]

Really heartbreaking see little children all suffering may UNICEF protect children all and save💔🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊

[@merysleidipeguero3616]

Worked and met a lot of children that have made this trek. Just when you think that the journey was rough you learn the reason why they left their countries and it’s the worst feeling of hopelessness 😢

[@boweandrew3]

Great documentary

[@user-vd2he6wc5w]

Thank God that they were reunited 🙏🏾

[@rosalviedante8163]

This made me cry, how horrible their lives in their place. May god bless u in your journey.

[@raquel7123]

🙆🏽‍♀️😤 May they find joy and peace wherever they go.

[@mdrvm86]

Excellent documentary

[@ROSEMARIEBABAUTA]

My foster parents are from Mexico 🇲🇽 ❤️ but lost there home in SJC so they decided to return back to Mexico,my foster siblings got to stay In the states coz there born US citizens I miss them so much good luck to those crossing ✝️ may God be with you all I pray 🙏 ❤I love you Mom an Dad Saldana family peace 🦋🌺🌹I'm now 58 yrs old.

[@Fledermausmann]

Just listened to the podcast about this. Was wondering where the main documentary was. Glad I've found it. I was just commenting on the podcast that a) CNA did a related documentary about Chinese migrants and b) this documentary makes me feel so grateful for what I have. Anyway, just wanted to say a thank you to the team for a job well done and for making such a poignant documentary about the hardships that so many others have to go through just to survive in this world.

[@lorylovechan8362]

Como puede ser Adventura con Niños y Bebes !!! Es una locura

[@user-vd2he6wc5w]

May God watch over and protect these babies🙏🏾 God bless these people 🙏🏾

[@happykitten5695]

🙏🌍 World Peace and LOVE 🕊❤‍🔥

[@kingahmedmohamed9008]

I wanna try this rout. Hopefully i will be back here again and thank God for making me go through..

[@maybeshuro7238]

Not easy 😭 been there

[@thomasreagan7465]

Are you from Ghana 🇬🇭

[@zablonreuben]

Life is tough everywhere 😢

[@TheINFJChannel]

Instead of fleeing from problems, imagine how their countries would be if they banded together to make a difference there. Very unfortunate situation.

[@Pasador528]

the newly elected President of Panama promised to entirely close the Darien Gap. Hopefully he really fulfills his promise! I'm Colombian and support the idea of closing the gap, for both environmental and social reasons, it is bringing so much trouble to Colombia, Panama, and the whole continent

[@travelingdude33914]

You're slightly correct, except you didn't include all the problems Colombia had brought through there for decades with drugs. Colombia is just as responsible if not more and could close it themselves like they did with Venezuela years ago. I am happy to see the boarder open with Venezuela in Cucuta Colombia where I have property. It has brought much needed relief to those suffering under the dictatorship in Venezuela

[@nicssss2894]

I am Panamanian. I hope the elected president DOES NOT even attempt this promise. First, because he refused to explain how he would do it (he was asked and point blank stared into the camera, and said nothing. His campaign documents aren’t of much depth either). Closing the Darién means investing heavily on recruiting a HUGE part of the workforce in the police, even with equipment that would equate to a military body, prohibited by our constitution. It also means introducing heavy machinery into this inhospitable area, but also risking displacement of already vulnerable populations. You cannot attempt to do that without a plan; the money is easier to get, but that alone means these people will be subjected to even more risk in the wilderness PLUS the added risks of dealing with a poorly trained but well equipped police. Other more advanced monitoring systems have been tried to be implemented, but those systems have been used for political repression and NOT for its intended purposes (right now, an ex president is in jail for this). Above all, it’s good to remember that people will try to move through Panama, no matter what. They will see the land and sea, and find a way. You missed one of the most important parts of the documentary: there were safer routes, but once they were closed because of political pressure, people started risking their lives and not just their livelihoods. I wholeheartedly hope president Mulino IMPROVES conditions for migrants, which is economically feasible and positive, rather than opening an unconstitutional sinkhole for funds, professionals and people’s hope.

[@rianawati105]

I hope by seeing this, Americans are more grateful that people all over the world dream to live in their country at any cost. I myself brought my son to US tens of years ago ( legally). Now my son has become a US citizen and hold a good job. Lives in a beautiful house with his American wife. I've since going back to my native country, and always Thank God that I've succeeded to put my son to be where he is now. Moreover, to see how hard to make a living in my native country now. Although, America is not perfect, but for me still the best country in the world.

[@lang715]

Please Jesus hope this family and the rest of the group are in the US❤❤

[@CaseyWiggin]

My heart breaks…

[@ruthperez2159]

Destroying the selva of the Darien 💔💔💔

[@user-qw7rf2sz7f]

WOW HO MY GOD THIS IS SO SAD.😢💔

[@Mandal4646]

Brave kids and the family ❤❤

[@GwenAL182]

God bless them

[@andrewv1671]

I find it difficult to find sympathy for the girl that got with the older gangster.

[@laniece4321]

Don’t judge her. She had to do what she had to for survival for her kids. Circumstances made her do it. Commonly in her culture women in need will “date” or entertain men for survival

[@RKBro-jr1ts]

Painful

[@ashwheeler1109]

Goddess protect all these people, show they mercy and love. Share your grace and wisdom with them, to give them hope and peace. Protect the fathers, the mothers, the brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. Protect the Grandparents, Nieces and Nephews and Aunts and Uncles. Protect their friends. Show them a way to safety through the Gap, lead them to food and water and security. Please, my Goddess, I beg you. Help these desperate people. So mote it be. 🌙 ✨ 🙏

[@jodiceygame]

I don’t understand why these people would put their kids through this whole journey only to be separated at the border by the United States government

[@truthbtoldwright6411]

The risk of being separated is safer than being dead in their homeland. Probably would feel selfish and guilty if they left the kids behind.

[@jodiceygame]

These people need prayer and keep an eye on their children’s kidneys

[@Tara-Oziray]

Didn’t you watch the video? They were at risk of getting killed. Similar stories for many of them. You comment at the comfort of your couch and watching from a distance is not helping.

[@rajraman4385]

VERY DISTURBING AND SAD WHAT IS LIFE AFTERALL NOTHING

[@maideyirabvu7394]

Will they be able to get jobs, health Insurance and school for the kids?

[@pariscrossroads]

They better if they want to survive and live in America...The U.S.. government will not support them past one year. Who knows, they may even get deported.

[@classyog]

God bless these people..❤

[@SuannyFlores]

Igualmente bendiciones para usted.♥️

[@apriljadeabag4169]

💔💔💔

[@itgirl_nyc]

I feel terrible for these people. They have to leave their country because life was unbearable there. But the problem is if they all come to the US, the US will become like their country. There are crimes and gangs in NYC as a result of bad migrants and gangs arriving here. The US simply cannot handle the sheer number of arrivals and is overwhelmed with the number of migrants coming here. US citizens are suffering from inflation, unemployment and homelessness already. The US is going downhill. And then this country is also ruined. And then where do people go?

[@mookmook6989]

camera man the mvp

[@LuisFelipeSilvaflores]

😢

[@shirleyandreameracifuentes3146]

Que valentía Dios mío eh llorado de pensar en mi amiga y las bebés que Dios los bendiga siempre🥹❤

[@LuisFelipeSilvaflores]

Si así es 😢

[@user-wm1pi1ix2i]

All the Americans without shelter and we have resources to help foreigners 😢😢😢

[@kanivea]

PREACH!!!! 💯 👍

[@Fernanda-di8zs]

The United States put their countries in this situation in the first place by meddling in their political affairs. Read a bit of history, real history, not the lies told in US schools, and you’ll see how much damage your country has done to Latin America. Enjoy the consequences!

[@pariscrossroads]

We don't and can't support them...we are losing schools and gyms to these kinds of interlopers - We need them for our citizens!!

[@lemuelouano3893]

Just like the other documentary about crossing the darien gap, Panamian Army only go to that jungle if they know that a journalist is there(just like this the journalist tell Panamian Army ahead) I guess its because its a cartel territory and they can't just go there w out the cartels go signal

[@lightbeings6243]

Where ll they end up?? N wha happened to before them ??

[@wwedivas2011]

It so sad that these migrate kids have to go through this dangerous journey just to try to reach here in United States it crazy...

[@Happy_HIbiscus]

😥😥😥😥

[@humanitytv6016]

i wish aljazeera follows up on the storyof deleyza,swanny and victor and make a documentary about it >P)'

[@SuannyFlores]

Estamos bien gracias a Dios Gracias por tener esa mente y no de personas tan mediocres que no tienen corazón personas con malicias.

[@pariscrossroads]

@@SuannyFlores go home

[@humanitytv6016]

@@SuannyFlores Hola suanny, estoy feliz oir esta bien. Agradezco a Dios. Soy de Kenya y me encantaria a communicar con usted, y para siempre ser amigos. Su relato es inspiración. Ojalá ablar a usted pronto. Estoy estudiar español y me encantaria usted ayúdame. Muchas Gracias.

[@SuannyFlores]

@@humanitytv6016 puede escribirme

[@bondenjongen]

They had the choice not to take their children and enter another country illegally No sympathy for them for putting their children through this stupidity. None of them should be granted asylum in USA.

[@travelingdude33914]

Says you sitting in your comfortable home, have never personally seen the areas they are escaping and the horrors they have lived through

[@pariscrossroads]

how do you know this person's conditions...what, do you have a crystal ball? That person is right. They knew what they were heading into and they crossed the border illegally. Hope they get deported.

[@SuannyFlores]

@@pariscrossroads se que no te gustaría escucharlo pero gracias a Dios pudimos llegar a nuestro destino, bendiciones que Dios te bendiga.

[@user-qg4tk1sh2q]

Stay over there i

[@johnnypersaud6877]

Why the USA when you so many countries along the way

[@anitadi7351]

u s a has biden train.

[@johnnypersaud6877]

@@anitadi7351 The Biden train is an old steam train

[@johnnypersaud6877]

@@anitadi7351 the chu chu train

[@SuannyFlores]

Dejen de ser tan malas persona reflexionen todos somos seres humanos

[@johnnypersaud6877]

@@SuannyFlores sinto mucho pero El Salvador és bueno para usted

[@MrCanekurbla]

This is disaster of our civilization humanity, absolutely collapse of world dignity. I'm speechless!

[@ronnelacido1711]

The guy have had a lot of money to be able to afford to have braces. He should have used that to buy plane tickets instead of making his family go through that ordeal.

[@syl8435]

That was the plan but the woman's ex-boyfriend (who killed her mom) took their passports so they couldn't fly. He wasn't going to leave her with two young daughters and her younger brother to travel the Darien Gap alone.

[@CUBABLOCKMASONRY]

😮😮😮😮

[@leitulaveauele7375]

America is not that great,these people need to realize that

[@xwrtk]

I know of people who also took the dangerous journey. Most of them are naturalized citizens after going through the process like many other people and the rest just legal citizens. Just one person had a different naturalization process due to disability. I don’t know the outcomes of any of the people in the video as only 25min long.

[@charlene6306]

How do you carry on, and celebrate leaving the Gap, not knowing if your child is safe? The uncle and mother seem useless

[@mbaomambwestephen1389]

This country's has president and leaders who are elected into offices with conscious and pledge to defend the constitution and serve the people. God helps the religions people .

[@SomeFooThatGrows]

Crazy they got an apartment money,food everything basic americans cant afford right now.. goodnfor them work the system I guess

[@Jerom_world]

Seeking a better freedom life welcome to the usa

[@pattynellis7347]

The guy has braces on his teeth , life can't be that bad were he's from , should of stayed

[@prateekkumar4295]

You judging someone’s life with braces on their teeth? Wow you have to be the dumbest person out there. Braces are way cheaper in South American countries than in US. Get your head right and do some research

[@truthbtoldwright6411]

His pretty teeth wouldn't protect him or his family from being killed. If he had money he would've left by aeroplane, like many of his country folks have done.

[@user-pu6kw8mp7m]

منم میخوام راه بیوفتم خدا خودش کمک کنه

[@Tomorrison28]

The US can't afford these people. They need to go somewhere else

[@Belle_life]

Como perdieron a sus hijos? Como no saben donde estan? La señora esta mas preocupada porque ella no da más que por estar atenta a donde va su hijo, de 13 años, que es chico y que encima tiene que cargar con una de sus otras hijas.. porque claro, tienen no se cuantos hijos.. como pueden perder a sus hijos asi? Me dan mucha pena los niños.. y encima la señora por aqui por los comentarios anda diciendo que es la protagonista del video 😂 el protagonista de este video es SU POBRE HIJO que lo hizo sólo sin comida, sin adultos, y llevando a su hermana. Aqui todos los likes, van para su hijo y no para ustedes los "adultos". Perdon pero no pude con eso.

[@SuannyFlores]

Por gente como usted pasan muchas cosas aprenda a leer bien es mi primo no mi hijo si va a ver mire bien no sea ridícula gracias a Dios estamos Bien, bendiciones buenas madre.

[@user-wm1pi1ix2i]

Worried about violence and wants to live in a country with regular school shootings and mass shootings 😂😂😂

[@SuannyFlores]

Deje de ser tan mala gente estamos bien gracias a Dios

[@Jgztwn]

Stay overthere dont come to the US

[@MC-uj4gd]

But…. Most likely they will get send back.

[@SuannyFlores]

Gracias a Dios lo logramos y estamos todos juntos

[@MrMuddinmatt]

why not stay in your own country and fight for things to get better. why die in another country for nothing. makes no sense

[@laurymakesaway6695]

Encouraging illegal behavior

[@Atochabsh]

they shouldn't be there period. and they leave their clothes and garbage all along the trail. These kids are put through this becuase of the parents. It's not the jungles' fault. The jungle needs to remain jungle without trash.

[@theRealOpticalBlue]

Those poor children, they are skin and bones, emaciated. What I don't understand is why their mothers are grossly overweight, while the children are starving. A person has to eat a lot to get that fat. Horrified to think they are taking food from their children but no other way to explain it.

[@rosie6987]

U must be sick in the head. Have you ever heard of gaining BABY WEIGHT. That has nothing to do with eating all the food away from her children. Absolutely ridiculous ugggh. You people just be on the internet spewing out garbage from your mouth. Get educated and open your mind to become more knowledgeable.

[@joyceprior1301]

poor jungle it will be full of pollution people just have to stop having children they can't afford

[@marizagamboa8780]

Please stayband fight for your own countries we are full in the us you are ruining our society

[@Amalekkkkk]

Stay in your country Put same energy and effort that u r putting towards this hellish journey to take on your home country government ask em for your rights