Wary of using the “The Darién Gap” in the Panama Jungle, illegal immigrants have started using different routes to reach their dream land – United States and Canada. Earlier “The Darién Gap” Darin Gap was the route that illegal immigrants would use, however recently there have been several incidents involving deaths and major accidents involving Indians. This route being the deadliest is difficult for children to cross through.

On Friday night French authorities acted on an anonymous tip and grounded a flight from the UAE to Nicaragua, carrying 303 Indian passengers, due to potential human trafficking concerns.

One thing is clear that this is a case of human trafficking. Due to restrictions imposed in several Central American nations as well as in other South American countries, the human trafficking through the known routes is difficult to cross.

Why?

Financial Express Online previously reported the favoured path involved countries like El Salvador, Ecuador, Panama, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and Guatemala. Many Punjabi and Hindi speakers face arrests by the US-Mexico Border Police, steering clear of US routes and nations requiring a transit visa for Latin America. Human trafficking agents aim for cargo vessels to infiltrate Latin American countries, strategically planning the victims’ next steps upon arrival.

The South American region serves as a common entry route for South Asians and migrants escaping violence or political turmoil, with a recent unprecedented surge in numbers. Despite the rise in Indian-origin migrants at the Southwest border, it remains minimal compared to the overall apprehension figures.

Regrettably, the pursuit of a better life compels them to undertake perilous journeys, whether by air, sea, or traversing jungles. The global response is shaped by concerns about terrorism and human trafficking.

Oscar Arias, former Costa Rican president and 1987 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, renowned for “silencing the guns in Central America,” emphasized a different approach. In an earlier exclusive interaction with Financial Express Online, he advocated against heavy military spending, citing examples like Costa Rica and Panama, which lack constitutional armies. Despite his plea, many nations, including Haiti, the world’s poorest, have not followed suit. Arias shared his unsuccessful efforts to convince leaders worldwide, revealing challenges in persuading prime ministers in sub-Saharan Africa to abandon their military forces.

Story so far

The Romanian-based charter company, Legend Airlines, operated the flight, which was paused for refuelling at Vatry airport, east of Paris. Investigators from a specialized French crime unit, border police, and aviation gendarmes are actively involved in identity checks, examining transportation conditions, and investigating the purpose of the passengers’ journey.

The national anti-organized crime unit, JUNALCO, is leading the investigation, emphasizing the severity of the allegations. The A340 aircraft, operated by Legend Airlines, remained grounded at Vatry airport, located 150 kilometers east of Paris. The airport, mainly serving budget airlines, saw the detention of the flight potentially carrying former UAE workers. Initially kept on the aircraft, passengers were later allowed into the terminal building, where individual beds were provided. The entire airport was cordoned off by police for security measures.

Responding to the situation, the Indian embassy in Paris released a statement, acknowledging French authorities’ communication about the flight’s detention. The embassy is actively investigating while ensuring the well-being of the passengers. Legend Airlines, responding through its lawyer Liliana Bakayoko, denied wrongdoing, asserting full cooperation with French authorities. Bakayoko stated legal action would be taken if charges were filed. Legend Airlines, operating a small fleet of four aircraft, has not officially responded to media requests.

The incident amplifies global concerns about human trafficking, prompting heightened vigilance and a comprehensive examination of the circumstances surrounding the detained flight. French officials, along with JUNALCO, are conducting a thorough investigation, underscoring the seriousness of potential human trafficking activities. The outcome of the investigation will shed light on the accuracy of the anonymous tip and the measures required to address the situation appropriately.

In an effort to stop the unprecedented influx of migrants into the Western Hemisphere, the government of El Salvador recently implemented a new US$1,000 plus VAT fee for travellers arriving by flight from India and Africa at the airport serving the nation’s capital.

On the other hand, according toairport agency,President Nayib Bukele’s administration is putting a lot of effort into El Salvador International Airport modernization and expansion projects so that all users and passengers that pass through the airport can receive first-rate service.

Comisión Ejecutiva Portuaria Autónoma (CEPA) published a list of nearly 56 countries where US$1,000 is applicable, excluding VAT per passenger. The Aeropuerto Internacional San Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez (AIES-SOARG) Billing, Collection and Payments Section will issue the corresponding fiscal document weekly, consolidating the details presented by the airlines. The airlines will notify the Billing, Collection and Payments Section of the AIES-SORG daily, through a list that must contain the passenger’s name, nationality, arriving flight and departing flight, of the following nationalities.

However, experts believe that the fees might be aimed at preventing migrants from passing through El Salvador on their way to the Mexican border, instead of using the dangerous Darién Gap between Panama and Colombia, which over 400,000 migrants have used this year to start their journey towards the USA.

In an effort to deal with the influx of illegal immigrants especially from India Ecuador has started charging almost USD 400 for travellers to that country. Has it deterred the illegal immigrants? No. According to a senior officer several countries are under pressure from the US administration to ensure that their borders are secured.

Costa Rica which was another country in the region which was attracting illegal human traffic has started charging around USD 1700 from those who are seeking residency in that country.

Illegal migrants walk through “The Darién Gap” in the Panama Jungle. The Darién Gap is a lawless area on the Colombia-Panama border, home to everything from poisonous snakes to anti-government militants. The wilderness rainforest is only accessible by canoe or foot. It is also divided into Central America by the North and South American continents. Additionally, the area is home to a migrant population from Asia, Africa, and Cuba who, in their desperation, go on dangerous voyages to the United States and Canada, risking death, kidnapping, and robbery in order to record one of the most gruelling journeys on Earth.

On late Friday night (Dec 22, 2023), French authorities informed the Indian Mission in Paris of a plane with 303 people. And the French authorities said that most of these were mostly Indian origin and came on a chartered flight from Dubai to Nicaragua. The 303 passengers were detained when the aircraft made a technical halt a French airport.

The Indian Mission on X (formerly Twitter) stated that the Embassy team has reached & obtained consular access. “We are investigating the situation, also ensuring wellbeing of passengers.”

French authorities informed us of a plane w/ 303 people, mostly Indian origin, from Dubai to Nicaragua detained on a technical halt at a French airport. Embassy team has reached & obtained consular access. We are investigating the situation, also ensuring wellbeing of passengers.

— India in France (@IndiaembFrance) December 22, 2023

According to data published by the International Organization for Migration, Honduras saw a 553% increase in the number of migrants crossing its shared southern border with Nicaragua, totalling 19,412, while the number of migrants from African countries passing through the Darién Gap decreased by 65% between January and July, to approximately 4,100 people.