Dozens of Venezuelan migrants departed from Gardi Sugdub Island in the San Blas Archipelago off Panama's Caribbean coast on Monday, heading towards Colombia as part of a reverse migration of families giving up on reaching the United States.
The migrants, who chose to return to Venezuela, embarked on at least six small boats with more than a dozen people on each, aiming to reach Playa Miel near the Colombian border.
Fabiola Rodriguez, a Venezuelan migrant who tried to enter the U.S. via Mexico, expressed frustration over the lack of clear repatriation options from Panamanian authorities, prompting them and others to independently journey back to Venezuela despite the risks and expenses.
Unfortunately, a Venezuelan girl lost her life over the weekend in a shipwreck involving one of the migrant-filled boats, as confirmed by Panamanian officials.
Daniel Gonzalez, traveling with his family, expressed their preference to return to Venezuela rather than staying in neighboring countries like Mexico or Costa Rica due to recent migration challenges. Gonzalez emphasized their desire for a better life in the U.S., sharing, "Of course, we wanted to reach the United States to have a better life. But that wasn't possible."
This reverse migration trend is a consequence of U.S. President Donald Trump's strict measures on illegal migration, which include asylum restrictions and the cessation of humanitarian parole programs introduced by his predecessor, providing legal pathways for some migrants to enter the United States.