A footnote led Folha to the province of Darien, in the far east of Panama, the arrival point for hundreds of thousands of immigrants crossing the dangerous jungle of the same name on their route to the United States.

Reports from Panama’s National Migration Service analyzed last September contained the observation that virtually all Brazilian migrants on the journey were minors. The outline of the journey began.

Reporters Mayara Paixão and Lalo de Almeida spent six days in the region, from late January to early February. They visited the indigenous community of Bajo Chiquito, the Immigration Reception Stations of Lajas Blancas and San Vicente, and the port of Puerto Limón. These are the main points where immigrants who survive the crossing are concentrated.

In a total of more than 60 interviews, conducted both beforehand and during their stay in Darien, Folha spoke with dozens of immigrants, as well as members of indigenous communities, humanitarian organizations, and state authorities.

With five chapters, “Darien, the Jungle of Death” portrays the stage of the most serious migrant crisis in the Americas currently.