The yearned for ‘American dream’ has an important weight in Ecuadorian culture, and its level of popularity is such that it has become a life goal; however, for most it is not only a goal, but the only viable and accurate option to reach better days. But, without a doubt, reaching it is not an easy task, and much will depend on luck. IS IT SERIOUSLY WORTH IT?
Details. The harsh situation that the country is going through, which includes unemployment, high levels of insecurity, political crisis and national strikes, make the national panorama even more complex and, with it, the reasons for its population to abandon it, and despite the dangers that involves crossing the continent to reach the United States (USA) irregularly.
Routes. A short time ago getting to the southern border of the US was easier. The Ecuadorian had the possibility of traveling by plane to Mexico as a tourist and, from there, crossing to the ‘Country of opportunities’; However, in 2021 he decided to apply for his visa, and that is when the route moved to Guatemala, but this country also applied the same methodology. With this, the option of Nicaragua was born, only this route was too expensive and, thus, crossing through the thick jungle of the Darién became the option of the countrymen to cross from Colombia to Panama, and this is verifiable with the Migration figures of Panama, which reveal that we are the second nationality that crosses it irregularly since, at least, 29,356 crossed it throughout the year 2022. But this route is not easy, nor calm, in fact its natural beauty dissipates when seeing the bodies of those who could not cope with exhaustion, the lost, the sexually assaulted, those who had problems and were abandoned or even attacked by criminals who take advantage of the vulnerability of the ‘dreamers’. But, if they finally make it through this hell, it only means one more conquest, since they still have three thousand kilometers more to go.
Story. ‘Roberto’ (protected name) indicated that he paid around 8 thousand dollars for his trip; however, he arrived by plane in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, and from there he began his journey. “Other people were joining us along the way, I got closer to a Nicaraguan family that was separated at a resting place, they took the little ones and the parents never left.” He advanced to Mexico and there he perceived problems because, instead of advancing, they were going backwards, for this reason he decided to flee from the hired “coyotero” and took refuge in a hotel for fear of reprisals. He then made contact with another ‘coyotero’ from Mexico, but on the way he was detained and taken to a shelter, where he met other people who said they were going to try him “as many times as necessary”; Thus, for many it was already the fifth opportunity for him. Thus, he had to pay the policemen to get out and continue on his way… A