An 8-year-old Venezuelan girl died after a boat carrying 19 South American migrants, blocked from entering the United States, sank off the coast of Panama while en route back to their home countries, authorities said Saturday.
The vessel capsized Friday night in Caribbean waters off northeast Panama due to strong waves caused by severe weather, according to Panama’s Senafront border service.
The boat was carrying migrants from Venezuela and Colombia, along with two crew members. While all other passengers were rescued, the young girl tragically lost her life, Senafront confirmed.
Migrants Stranded Amid Changing Policies
Panama’s border authorities described the incident as part of the “reverse migratory flow,” as many South American migrants, unable to enter the U.S., have begun returning home from Mexico and Central America.
The migrants had chosen to travel by boat to avoid the perilous Darién Gap—a dense jungle corridor known for treacherous rivers, wild animals, and criminal groups that often prey on vulnerable travelers.
“We’ve been stranded for over 15 days, going round and round from Mexico to here (Panama) and scraping together money out of nowhere,” said a Venezuelan migrant, explaining the decision to return home.
Dangerous Journey Ends in Tragedy
According to Senafront, the ill-fated boat was part of a group of three heading toward La Miel, a Panamanian town near the Colombian border. While two vessels suspended their trips due to worsening weather conditions, one continued forward—a decision that ended in disaster.
“That decision led to the unfortunate incident,” border police stated.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) expressed solidarity with those affected, emphasizing the need for safer migration routes through Panama.
Since stricter immigration measures were introduced in the United States, hundreds of South American migrants have been forced to abandon their journey north, instead making the long, arduous trek back home—often with little financial resources and few safe travel options.
Key Points :
Tragic Incident: An 8-year-old Venezuelan girl died after a boat carrying 19 South American migrants sank off the coast of Panama.
Cause of Sinking: The vessel capsized due to strong waves caused by severe weather conditions.
Migrant Background: The boat carried migrants from Venezuela and Colombia, along with two crew members. All other passengers were rescued.
Reverse Migration: The migrants were returning home after being blocked from entering the United States.
Avoiding the Darién Gap: They opted for sea travel to avoid the dangerous Darién jungle, known for its harsh terrain and criminal threats.
Desperate Journey: Migrants reported being stranded for weeks in Mexico and Central America, struggling to find resources for their return.
Risky Decision: The doomed boat was part of a group of three heading toward La Miel, Panama. Two turned back due to bad weather, but one continued and sank.
UNICEF Response: The UN children’s agency expressed solidarity with the victims and emphasized the importance of safer migration routes.
Stricter U.S. Policies: Increased immigration restrictions have forced hundreds of South American migrants to abandon their journey north and attempt the difficult return home.
