Global migration is driven by the pandemic, climate change, and escalating conflicts. One of the most extreme examples is the Darién Gap—a dangerous, roadless jungle between Colombia and Panama.
From 2021 to 2024, over one million migrants, primarily aiming to reach the U.S., have crossed this treacherous terrain. In 2024, most were Venezuelans fleeing poverty and dictatorship, but the route also saw migrants from over 100 countries, including Afghanistan, China, Haiti, Nepal, Ecuador, and Cuba—each escaping violence, oppression, or extreme hardship.
The journey through the Darién is deadly: migrants face swollen rivers, steep hills, thick mud, and violent criminal groups. According to UNICEF, over 20% are children and adolescents. It remains uncertain how many succeed in reaching the destination.

Copyright foto: © Federico Ríos

Paths of Desperate Hope stands out as a profoundly human and visually commanding body of work that confronts one of the most urgent humanitarian crises of our time: the dangerous migration across the Darién Gap.
Federico Ríos approaches this harrowing journey not with sensationalism but with deep empathy and dignity. His photographs reveal both the physical brutality of the terrain and the emotional weight carried by those who attempt to cross it. The work’s power lies in its intimacy—each image invites us to pause, to witness, and to reflect on the resilience of those who walk these paths in search of a new life. It is a masterful example of ethical, committed photojournalism—timely, necessary, and unforgettable.