A substantial hike in children crossing the Darien jungle - linking Panama with Colombia - is expected this year, the United Nations said on Friday, amid a surge in migrants making the dangerous journey to reach the United States.
By the end of 2023, more than 300,000 migrants are set to have crossed the jungle, over 60,000 of which could be minors, said Diana Romero, an emergency protection specialist at the United Nations children's agency (UNICEF).
"At least 20% (of people using the route) will be children and adolescents," Romero told Reuters, asking families to review the decision due to the perils of such journey.
