Dominican airline Arajet has launched a “Hot Sale Colombia” promotion, offering discounted base fares for international travel originating from major Colombian hubs. The campaign targets passengers departing from El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín, and Rafael Núñez International Airport in Cartagena.

The promotional window is scheduled to run from March 16 through March 22, 2026. During this period, the airline is offering base fares starting at $1 USD. These rates apply to international routes within the carrier’s network and are available across all four of the airline’s service tiers: Basic, Classic, Comfort, and Extra.

Agressive fares through Q3 2026

According to the carrier, the travel window for tickets purchased under this promotion extends from April 15, 2026, to September 30, 2026. The availability of these fares is subject to seat capacity on specific flights. The initiative follows the carrier’s broader strategy to increase its market share in the Colombian aviation sector, which is regulated by the Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aeronáutica Civil (Aerocivil) under the Ministerio de Transporte.

Arajet commenced operations in September 2022 and currently maintains its primary hubs at Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana International Airport. The airline utilizes an all-Boeing fleet, consisting of 14 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft (NYSE: BA). The carrier’s network connects the Dominican Republic with various destinations across North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. In 2023, the airline was recognized as the “Best New Airline in the World” at the CAPA Aviation Trust Summit. The airline’s operations are overseen by the Instituto Dominicano de Aviación Civil (IDAC) in its home jurisdiction. Detailed pricing and baggage policies for the current promotion are available through the company’s digital booking platform.

Above photo (courtesy Arajet): Arajet employees wave flags and take press photos to commemorate the launch of a new route from Medellin to Santiago, Dominican Republic.

Under the terms of the deal, the airline will receive brand placement on the official team jerseys. Additionally, the club’s fan interaction area, previously known as the Fútbol305 Zone, has been rebranded as the Avianca Fútbol305 Zone. This activation is intended to provide fans with direct access to players and team events.

The move marks a strategic effort by Avianca to consolidate its presence in the Florida market, which serves as a primary hub for its North American operations. According to Rolando Damas, the airline’s sales director for North America and Europe, Miami is a critical gateway connecting the US with Latin America.

Data provided by the carrier indicates a period of growth in its US operations. In 2025, Avianca transported more than 4,900,000 passengers to and from the US, representing an increase of more than 6% compared to 2024 figures. During that same period, the airline operated 34,200 flights within its US network.

Currently, Avianca operates more than 400 weekly flights across 14 US cities. Its Florida operations specifically include more than 100 weekly flights departing from Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa. These routes provide connectivity to destinations in Colombia, Ecuador, and Central America, as well as broader links to more than 80 destinations across 25 countries.

Miami FC executives noted that the partnership coincides with the development of world-class facilities in South Florida. Nathan Krum, the club’s chief marketing and revenue officer, stated that the collaboration is part of a broader vision to increase community accessibility and global connectivity.

Avianca is a member of the Star Alliance and is part of the Abra Group. The airline group includes several subsidiaries such as Aerovías del Continente Americano S.A., Taca International Airlines S.A., and Avianca Ecuador S.A.. In 2025, the consolidated group transported approximately 37,000,000 customers globally, operating a fleet of 140 aircraft including Airbus A320 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner models. Its loyalty program, LifeMiles, currently maintains a membership base of approximately 15,000,000 individuals.

The financial terms of the sponsorship were not disclosed, though it follows a trend of Latin American carriers increasing marketing spend within US professional sports to capture a larger share of the diaspora and tourism markets.

The new route will offer flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, providing a non-stop connection between Colombia’s capital and Guatemala City. This expansion facilitates access to a country known for its cultural, natural, and historical attractions.

The Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo (INGUAT), the government entity responsible for tourism, reported a significant increase in Colombian visitors. According to INGUAT, 39,000 Colombians visited Guatemala during the first half of 2025, marking a 9% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. In 2024, the country welcomed more than 58,000 Colombian visitors.

Lake Atitlán. Photo credit: Wingo.

Harris Whitbeck, director general of INGUAT, noted the importance of the Colombian market. “Colombia is one of our key source markets in South America. This new air connection will make it easier for more travelers to discover the natural, cultural, and culinary richness that Guatemala offers.”

Jorge Jiménez, commercial and planning vice president for Wingo, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings (NYSE: CPA), stated that the new route is aimed at expanding travel opportunities for Colombians.

The new service arrives in time for Guatemala’s primary tourism seasons, including the Festival of Giant Kites in Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepéquez in November, as well as the dry season, which runs from November to April. The flight is expected to have a duration of approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

Parque Nacional. Photo credit: Wingo.

Plano, Texas. Photo credit: Tecnoglass.

Detailed Financial Performance Analysis

Tecnoglass’ second-quarter financial statements indicate a company in a strong financial position. A closer examination of the results provides insights for the institutional investor.

Income Statement Analysis:

Revenue Growth: The 16.3% increase in total revenue to $255.5 million USD was primarily driven by a 17.8% growth in the multifamily/commercial sector and a 14.5% increase in the single-family residential sector. The company attributes this to market share gains, geographic expansion, and a broader product offering. A portion of the single-family residential growth is attributed to customers accelerating orders in anticipation of price increases related to US tariffs. The impact of foreign currency exchange was a modest adverse effect of $0.5 million.

Profitability Metrics: The gross margin expanded by 400 basis points to 44.7% from 40.8% in the prior-year quarter. This improvement reflects better pricing, stable raw material costs, operating leverage, and increased vertical integration. Operating expenses increased to $53.1 million USD from $38.4 million USD in Q2 2024, primarily due to higher selling expenses, including $5.9 million in aluminum tariffs paid in April. As a percentage of revenue, operating expenses were 20.8%, up from 17.5%. The company notes that price adjustments implemented in May began to offset these incremental expenses by late June.

Photo credit: Tecnoglass.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share: Net income for the quarter was $44.1 million USD, or $0.94 USD per diluted share, compared to $35.0 million USD, or $0.75 USD per diluted share, in the same period last year. Adjusted net income, a non-GAAP measure that excludes items like non-cash foreign currency exchange gains and losses, was $48.5 million USD, or $1.03 USDper diluted share.

Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA, another non-GAAP measure, increased by 24.5% to $79.8 million USD, representing 31.2% of total revenues. This was driven by higher revenues and gross margin improvement, which more than offset the aforementioned increase in operating expenses. The Adjusted EBITDA calculation for the quarter includes a $0.5 million USD contribution from the joint venture with Saint-Gobain.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow:

Strong Liquidity: The company ended the quarter with a solid liquidity position of approximately $310 million USD, consisting of $137.9 million USD in cash and cash equivalents and $170.0 million available under its committed revolving credit facilities. The total debt stood at $109.2 million USD.

Cook County Central Campus Health Center, Chicago. Photo credit: Tecnoglass.

Cash Flow from Operations: Cash generated by operating activities was $17.9 million USD for the quarter. This figure was impacted by the seasonal timing of tax payments.

Capital Expenditures (Capex): Capex for the quarter was $32.5 million USD, which included scheduled payments for previous investments and $15.1 million USD for the acquisition of Continental Glass assets classified as property, plant, and equipment.

Shareholder Returns: The company returned $7.0 million to shareholders through dividends during the quarter and has approximately $76.5 million remaining under its current share repurchase program.

Project Backlog: The company’s project backlog grew to a record $1.2 billion USD, a 17.2% year-over-year increase, providing visibility into projects for the next two years.

US Market Expansion and Operational Strategy

Tecnoglass is actively pursuing an expansion strategy within the United States market. The acquisition of assets from Continental Glass Systems for approximately $30 million USD is a key part of this strategy, adding manufacturing capabilities and a project backlog in the southeastern US.

Santiago Giraldo. Photo credit: Tecnoglass.

The company is also set to open a new showroom on the West Coast to introduce its “Legacy” aluminum product line, aimed at supporting its geographic expansion. Furthermore, a feasibility study is underway for a new automated manufacturing plant in the United States, with two potential sites identified in Florida. This facility is intended to address expected growth beyond current installed capacity and to improve delivery times and supply chain efficiencies.

Navigating US Trade Policy

The company has acknowledged the impact of US tariffs on aluminum, which contributed to higher operating expenses. In response, Tecnoglass has adjusted its supply chains and implemented price increases to mitigate the financial impact. This reflects a proactive approach to managing the risks associated with evolving trade policies.

Christian Daes (right). Photo credit: Tecnoglass.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Initiatives

Tecnoglass has integrated ESG principles into its corporate strategy. The company has a stated goal of carbon neutrality and has invested in sustainability initiatives, including a large-scale solar panel installation and a natural gas cogeneration project. A significant portion of the company’s revenues is from “green revenues” generated by its energy-efficient products.

Through the Tecnoglass ESWindows Foundation, the company is also engaged in social initiatives in its home base of Barranquilla, Colombia, focusing on community development. Tecnoglass has also received recognition for its corporate governance practices.

In summary, Tecnoglass’ second-quarter results demonstrate solid financial performance and a clear strategy for growth in the US market. The company’s detailed financial reporting provides a transparent view of its operations and its approach to managing both opportunities and challenges in the current economic and political environment.

The number of migrants crossing the Darién Gap between Colombia and Panama plummeted to just over a dozen per day in February, as fears of stricter US immigration policies under the administration of President Donald Trump have deterred new crossings. Only 408 migrants crossed the Darién Gap in February — a staggering drop from the more than 37,000 who made the journey during the same month last year.

But the slowdown is not just a reduction in numbers; migrants across Central America and Mexico are abandoning their plans to reach the United States and instead heading south, returning to their countries of origin.

SEE ALSO: The Forgotten Human Smuggling Route in the Darién

The vast majority of those returning are Venezuelans, according to Colombia’s Foreign Ministry, which reported that 1,885 migrants arrived in Colombia from Panama between January 15 and February 28. In March, the flow has accelerated, with more than 200 migrants per day traveling by boat from Panama to Colombia, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, the number of migrants entering Panama from the north is also rising, with about 3,100 people crossing the Costa Rican border last week, according to Panamanian authorities.

After entering Panama, migrants make their way to the port of Colón, where large boats take them to La Miel, a town close to the border with Colombia. Migrants are charged $230 USD per person for the journey. From there, they transfer to smaller boats to reach Capurganá, Colombia, then travel by motorcycle to Acandí, and finally take another boat to Necoclí — the point where many previously began their journey north across the Darién.

InSight Crime Analysis

The plummeting number of migrants traveling through the Darién could lead to a sharp decline in profits for the AGC, which maintains a monopoly on migrant smuggling operations in the region that were worth tens of millions of dollars a year at their peak.

The group’s primary source of profit came from extorting both formal and informal businesses connected to the migration flow, including hotels, guides, restaurants, stores, and transporters. Additionally, the AGC earned direct profits by facilitating the movement of migrants through its zone of control, placing their earnings between $17.5 million USD and $25 million USD by 2023, according to InSight Crime’s estimates.

SEE ALSO: Colombia’s AGC Squeezes Profits From Control Of Key Migration Choke Point

However, the decline in migrant traffic through the Darién has put a dent in both formal and informal economies, resulting in a reduction of profits for the AGC.

“The economy of that area changed in recent years. An economic bubble was created that, when it burst, would bring a very bleak context,” said a person working for a state entity in the area, who requested to remain anonymous as they were not authorized to speak. Now, they added, that bubble has burst, hurting many who formerly profited off migrants. The increase in migrants heading south still is not large enough to compensate for the dropoff in northward flows.

“These are very small flows. From a business perspective, which is what these groups always see, it’s not an attractive phenomenon for them,” they said.

The AGC appears to be filling the gaps with other illegal economies. The group is increasing “collaboration” — their term for extortion — with other sectors, such as cattle ranchers, according to a local resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons.

The AGC needs consistent income to sustain an unrelenting war with their main enemy, the National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional – ELN), for control of the department of Chocó, directly south of the Urabá region, which is home to important criminal economies such as illegal gold mining. The drop in migrant flows will likely shift the AGC’s focus back to drug trafficking through the Darién and the Colombian region of Urabá, which remains the group’s most critical stronghold.

This article, written by Henry Shuldiner and Sara Garcia, was originally published by InSight Crime, a Medellín-based foundation dedicated to the investigation and analysis of crime and security in Colombia and Latin America. It has been generously shared with Finance Colombia under a Creative Commons license.

The company’s full-year revenues increased by 6.8%, reaching $890.2 million USD, attributed to organic growth, geographic expansion, and entry into the vinyl market. Single-family residential revenue grew by 10.9% year-over-year to $372.1 million USD. Net income for 2024 was $161.3 million USD, or $3.43 USD per diluted share, with adjusted net income at $171.6 million USD, or $3.65 USD per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA stood at $275.8 million USD, representing 31.0% of revenues, while gross profit was $380.0 million USD, accounting for 42.7% of revenues.

In the fourth quarter, revenues rose by 23.1% to $239.6 million USD compared to the same period in the previous year. Multifamily and commercial revenues increased by 24.3%, and single-family residential revenues grew by 21.3%. Gross profit for the quarter was $106.5 million USD, with a gross margin of 44.5%. Net income for the quarter was $47.0 million USD, or $1.00 USD per diluted share, and adjusted net income was $49.3 million USD, or $1.05 USD per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $79.2 million USD, or 33.1% of total revenues.

Tecnoglass reported record cash flow from operations, with $61.1 million USD in the fourth quarter and $170.5 million USD for the full year, representing 61.8% of adjusted EBITDA for the year. Tecnoglass reduced its debt by $65 million USD throughout 2024, achieving a net cash position by year-end. The backlog expanded by 27.6% year-over-year to a record $1.1 billion USD. Additionally, the company returned $19.7 million USD to shareholders through dividend payments during the year.

CEO José Manuel Daes stated, “I am thrilled with our performance in 2024, as we delivered another year of record results driven by market share gains in our single-family residential business, continued momentum in multifamily/commercial demand, and the operational advantages of our vertically integrated business model.” He also noted the company’s resilience despite currency headwinds and highlighted its strong capital position.

COO Christian Daes commented on the robust demand across end markets and the company’s record backlog, providing visibility well into 2026. He acknowledged potential risks associated with proposed US tariffs on aluminum imports but expressed confidence in mitigating negative impacts through identified actions and favorable pricing environments.

CFO Santiago Giraldo provided the 2025 outlook, projecting revenues between $940 million USD and $1.02 billion USD, representing approximately 10% growth at the midpoint. The adjusted EBITDA target is set between $300 million USD and $340 million USD, with an implied adjusted EBITDA margin of 32.7% at the midpoint. This outlook assumes stable Colombian peso exchange rates, continued momentum in vinyl-related revenues, and stable activity in short-term commercial projects. Giraldo expressed confidence in delivering another year of profitable growth.

Tecnoglass Inc. is a producer of aluminum and vinyl windows and architectural glass, serving multifamily, single-family, and commercial end markets. Based in Barranquilla, Colombia, the company’s manufacturing complex provides access to nearly 1,000 customers in North, Central, and South America, with the United States accounting for 95% of total revenues. Tecnoglass products are featured in properties such as One Thousand Museum and Salesforce Tower.

Headline Image Credit: Tecnoglass Inc.

Led by José Manuel Acosta Gómez, CEO, Human Capital was founded in Bogotá in 2002. In addition to executive search and leadership consulting, the firm also has strong business lines offering intelligent total rewards, employee experience, communications and change management, labor relations, organizational transformation, and BPO/HR process management.

The firm’s Executive Search and Leadership Consulting business will now trade under the Amrop brand.

“Colombia is a significant market for executive search and leadership consulting in Latin America, and we are proud to join Amrop’s global partnership.” – José Manuel Acosta Gómez

The new Amrop Colombia serves clients from the country’s key economic sectors, including oil and gas, logistics, mining, agriculture, food processing, consumer products and services, and manufacturing.

“We are delighted to establish Amrop’s presence in Colombia,” said Annika Farin, Amrop’s Global Chair. “Our new team brings a deep understanding of the local talent market, combined with a high degree of ambition and professionalism, and strong shared values with Amrop. Together, we are uniquely positioned to foster regional synergies and tailor our solutions to address our clients’ increased needs for executive talent in the Colombian market and across the entire region.”

José Manuel Acosta Gómez added, “Colombia is a significant market for executive search and leadership consulting in Latin America, and we are proud to join Amrop’s global partnership. In a business environment where leadership defines success, our integration with Amrop marks a key milestone in our strategy to strengthen executive talent in Colombia and the region. By joining one of the most prestigious global networks in executive search, we offer organizations not only access to world-class leaders but also a consultative, agile, and deeply aligned approach to current market challenges. This alliance is a statement of our commitment to be the strategic partner that connects companies with the leadership needed to transform their future.”

Amrop’s new Colombia office is located at Carrera 11B 97-56, Edifico Ápice, Bogotá.

The addition of the Colombia office reinforces the group’s leading presence in the region, with teams in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and across the Central America and Caribbean region.

Headline Image: José Manuel Acosta Gómez, CEO Human Capital. Photo credit: Amrop.

Continuing growth and fiscal challenges remain important factors in Fitch’s sovereign ratings assessments. Most Latin American economies will grow in 2024, with only Argentina’s forecast to contract. But muted economic performance means Fitch forecasts regional growth will slow to 1.4%, from 2.2% in 2023 – the weakest forecast among all emerging market regions.

LatAm sovereigns’ projected median 2024 current account deficit is modest at 1.5% of GDP in 2024 (in 2023 it was 1.4%). External buffers and financing options are mostly sound, although Bolivia’s downgrade to ‘CCC’ in February means that four sovereigns are rated in this category or lower, indicating more acute financing constraints and international liquidity challenges.

Fiscal risks are rising as broadly weak 1H24 deficits imply that fiscal forecasts may deteriorate for 2024 and beyond. Overall, deficits will remain above debt-stabilizing levels in most countries. The fading post-pandemic fiscal recovery has exposed underlying fiscal weaknesses, notably the difficulty in reducing primary expenditure due to social spending pressures and indexation. Exceptions are mostly in Central America and the Caribbean, where fiscal positions are tighter.

Economic deceleration, a period of high inflation, and increased income inequality and poverty rates following the pandemic underpin risks to social and political stability. Periodic protests have been common in recent years and may remain so. Governability challenges from fragmented congresses and difficult executive-legislative relationships can delay reforms and fiscal consolidation.

“Latin America Sees Mixed Sovereign Actions as Growth, Fiscal Challenges Persist” is available at www.fitchratings.com,

• Issuance of Ordinary Bonds for COP $640,000 million
• Program for the Issuance of Ordinary Bonds and Commercial Papers for up to COP $3.0 trillion
• Program for the Issuance of Ordinary Bonds and Commercial Papers for up to COP $2.0 trillion

The Long-Term Rating Outlook is Stable. The short-term national rating for the Ordinary Bond and Commercial Paper Issuance Programs was affirmed at ‘F1+(col)’.

The upgrade reflects the anticipated strengthening of Cementos Argos’ capital structure and enhanced financial flexibility due to the use of USD1.2 billion from a transaction with Summit Materials for debt repayment. Fitch projects the company’s gross and net leverage to approach 2x by 2024. Despite reduced geographic diversification from deconsolidating its U.S. operations, Cementos Argos’ profitability, reduced financial expenses, and reallocation of capital to more profitable operations are expected to support operating cash flow generation. The company’s non-controlling investment in Summit Materials provides exposure to the U.S. market, contributing to its financial flexibility.

Key Rating Factors:

Strengthened Capital Structure: Cementos Argos received approximately USD$1.2 billion from its transaction with Summit Materials (NYSE: SUM), earmarked for debt repayment. By 2024, debt payments are expected to total COP4.7 trillion, reducing the company’s debt from COP6.9 trillion at the end of 2023. The reduction in debt is expected to lower short-term debt maturities, spread out long-term amortizations, and maintain leverage near 2x.

Lower Leverage: Cementos Argos’ net leverage was 2.4x at the end of 2023, supported by favorable operating results. The transaction with Summit Materials allowed for U.S. asset monetization and debt repayment. Fitch forecasts that leverage will remain close to 2x through 2024, supported by stable EBITDA and moderate debt requirements.

Geographic Concentration: The deconsolidation of U.S. operations has reduced the company’s geographic diversification, concentrating operations in Colombia and Central America and the Caribbean (CAC). These regions are expected to account for approximately 58% and 42% of EBITDA, respectively. While this increases exposure to regional economic cycles, the expected improvement in profitability, stable EBITDA, and stronger capital structure should offset the risks.

Financial Flexibility: The non-controlling 31% stake in Summit Materials provides exposure to the U.S. market and supports financial flexibility. Cementos Argos has implemented cost and productivity efficiency programs, which are expected to improve its cost structure and profitability.

Negative Free Cash Flow: Fitch projects that operating cash flow (FCO) will remain stable, averaging COP730,000 million annually from 2025. However, due to demanding dividend payments and share buybacks, free cash flow (FFL) is expected to remain negative, with a margin of approximately -4%.

Competitive Position: Cementos Argos remains a leading producer of cement and concrete in Colombia and Central America. The company holds significant market shares in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Honduras.

Rating Derivation:

Cementos Argos has a more robust business and credit profile compared to Ultracem, S.A.S. (rated A(col) with a Negative Outlook) due to its broader geographic presence and lower leverage. However, compared to Colombina S.A. (rated AA+(col) with a Positive Outlook), Cementos Argos’ business profile is more vulnerable to economic cycles, although this is partially offset by its stronger capital structure.

Key Assumptions:

• Deconsolidation of the U.S. operation in 2024 and investment registration via the equity method.
• Debt repayment totaling USD1.2 trillion, with USD700 million for U.S. debt and USD500 million for Colombia.
• Annual cement sales volume growth in the low single digits between 2024 and 2027.
• EBITDA margin near 22%.
• Average exchange rate of COP4,152 per USD1 for the projection period.
• Capex and dividend distribution aligned with management projections.
• Share buybacks between 2024 and 2026 totaling approximately COP450,000 million.

Rating Sensitivity:

Negative/Downgrade Factors:

• Net debt-to-EBITDA leverage exceeding 2.5x on a sustained basis.
• Liquidity levels below 1x.
• Equity investments or debt-financed acquisitions that weaken the credit profile.
• Dividend distributions or value extraction mechanisms that increase leverage and pressure FFL.

Positive/Upgrade Factors:

• Greater geographic diversification of EBITDA generation.
• Sustained net debt-to-EBITDA leverage below 2x.
• Liquidity consistently above 1.5x.
• Interest coverage above 6.5x.
• Positive FFL generation throughout the cycle.

Liquidity:

The transaction with Summit Materials has improved Cementos Argos’ liquidity by reducing short-term debt concentrations. The remaining debt is primarily in long-term bonds with amortizations spread over time. The company’s stake in Summit Materials, a New York Stock Exchange-listed company, also supports financial flexibility. Cementos Argos maintains uncommitted credit quotas of COP2.5 trillion.

Issuer Profile:

Cementos Argos is a nearly 90-year-old company specializing in cement, concrete, and aggregates production in Colombia and CAC. Following the integration with Summit Materials in 2024, the company deconsolidated its U.S. operations, which accounted for 55% of EBITDA in 2023.

Criteria Applied:

• Corporate Finance Rating Methodology (December 22, 2023)
• National Scale Grading Methodology (December 22, 2020)
• Parent-Subsidiary Rating Link Methodology (July 13, 2023)

On December 17, 2022, José Gregorio Roa lost track of his wife and daughter, who had set out on a boat from the island of San Andrés, Colombia, headed for the coast of Nicaragua. Both disappeared.

Jacqueline Velazco Zambrano, 51, left Venezuela with her daughter Grecia Yarleni Roa Velazco, 21, hoping to join José Gregorio in the United States. But like many groups of migrants in the last two years, they vanished in the Caribbean Sea.

Photo: Colombian migration officials in Cúcuta, the point of entry for many of the Venezuelans who have migrated in recent years in search of new opportunities. (Credit: National Police of Colombia)

José Gregorio’s family are two of the nearly 8 million Venezuelan migrants who have fled due to the country’s severe economic and humanitarian crises. To help them leave Venezuela, the women turned to a “tourist advisor” who offered to take them to the United States via the Colombian island of San Andrés.

The island is 381 kilometers off the coast of Nicaragua and has become a popular migratory route in the last two years, as it allows migrants to avoid the dangerous Darien Gap bottleneck on the Colombia-Panama border. The Darien has become a common corridor for migrants seeking to reach the United States. According to Panamanian authorities, 770,085 migrants crossed the jungles of the Darien Gap between 2022 and 2023. Of them, 478,994 were Venezuelans.

José Gregorio arrived in the United States via that dangerous route three months before his wife and daughter. But Jacqueline and Grecia wanted to be more cautious and chose a different path. They did not expect that the alternative route they chose would also be fraught with danger.

“What I find the most devastating is that we don’t know what happened to them,” said José Gregorio.

The Journey

At first glance, the travel package and logistics that Jacqueline and Grecia found seemed perfect. Each paid a little over $2,000, which covered flights from the Colombian border city of Cúcuta, in Norte de Santander, to the capital, Bogotá, and from there to San Andrés, where they would be transferred by sea to the coast of Nicaragua.

Like many others, they fell for attractive advertisements on social media that promised to take them to the United States. For their journey, Jacqueline and her daughter Grecia contacted Franklin Hurtado, an alleged “tour manager,” through Facebook.

Migrant smuggling networks are usually made up of local operators, also known as “coyotes,” who ensure the transit of people between two or more countries.

According to José Gregorio, Hurtado seemed trustworthy. The women exchanged phone numbers with him, and were in frequent contact, often through video calls, as they prepared for the trip.

Jacqueline and Grecia arrived at the Cúcuta airport on December 9 and printed their tickets. From there, they were accompanied by supposed tour managers to Bogotá, where they spent one night and then flew to San Andrés. During that time, they were not allowed to interact with other passengers or people at the airport, José Gregorio recalled.

On the night of December 11, the women boarded a boat leaving San Andrés for Nicaragua. But a Colombian navy frigate intercepted their boat and sent them back to Bogotá. They feared that their journey was over, but at the airport, a migration agent helped them return to the island.

The business of smuggling migrants through the Caribbean has exposed levels of corruption among Colombian officials in key institutions, including the navy and Migration Colombia.

“At the airport, [an official] told them they could get out of there and that they could get them on another boat that would take them to their destination,” said José Gregorio.

Similar cases occurred in 2023. On December 5, authorities dismantled a migrant smuggling network that transported migrants bound for the United States, Canada, and Australia to San Andrés. The organization was made up of 19 civilians who recruited the migrants and hosted them in different inns. Five navy officers and a Colombian migration official were accused of failing to follow maritime signaling regulations, alerting the network to the location of military vessels, and affixing false stamps in the migrants’ passports.

Once they returned to San Andrés, Jaqueline and Grecia were moved from inn to inn by supposed travel managers for eight days, not knowing when or how they would travel to Nicaragua. Finally, on December 17 at dawn, it was time to take the second boat.

“They just told us that we have to get on the boat and that we are about to leave,” Jacqueline wrote to José Gregorio. Two minutes later, his daughter sent him a message that seemed to be the beginning of a farewell: “Daddy.” But the next message did not arrive, and since then, there has been no word of them or the other 24 migrants on their boat.

An Alternative to the Darién Jungle

“They planned to leave San Andrés, reach Nicaragua, and continue through Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, and present themselves at the border to seek an [asylum] appointment,” said José Gregorio.

The journey to the United States is often fraught with danger, and there have been many accidents in the Darien jungle and shipwrecks of migrants who have departed for the Caribbean islands from the Venezuelan states of Falcon and Delta Amacuro in unregistered boats, in poor conditions, and with excess passengers.

The International Organization for Migration estimates that, of all the routes, the highest number of missing and dead migrants corresponds to those who have crossed through the Darién, where at least 360 people have disappeared since 2015, according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Of those who have left Venezuela’s coasts in unregistered boats, at least 187 are missing, though the actual figure may be higher, since the number of irregular migrants is often underreported.

Faced with these dangers, many have opted for the San Andrés route, which they perceive as safer than the Darién. The numbers back this up. According to Migration Colombia, since 2021, the number of irregular migrants detected on the island has increased, most of whom are from Venezuela.

But the events recorded in the last year show that this is anything but a safe route. Currently, there are at least four missing boats and between 100 and 140 Venezuelans whose whereabouts are unknown.

In Search of Answers

After losing contact with his wife and daughter, José Gregorio sought answers about their whereabouts from the tour manager they hired, but he got no response. After asking for days, his messages stopped going through, and he realized that the man had blocked him. Two months later, José Gregorio verified that the “manager” was still operating.

“Someone was able to contact him with another profile, and I was able to listen to the same man who talked to my wife and daughter and all the people who traveled with them,” he said.

Other criminals have found additional ways to profit from the desperation of migrants and their families. In the four days after the boat disappeared, José Gregorio and other relatives of the people on the boat were extorted by a man calling himself “the black boss of the Juárez Cartel,” who assured them that their relatives had been kidnapped in Mexico.

A year after the disappearance of José Gregorio’s wife and daughter, disappearances on the route between San Andrés and Nicaragua continue to increase. On December 20, 2023, Colombian authorities rescued 11 Venezuelan migrants on the island. Three days later, two Venezuelan migrants were found lifeless in Nicaraguan waters, while another 30 migrants were rescued.

Attention to this route has grown in recent months. In November 2023, Colombian Ombudsman Carlos Camargo issued an alert about the dangers to which migrants traveling this route are exposed. “Migrants face shipwrecks, abandonment, the disappearance of boats, among other situations that put their safety, integrity and life at risk,” he warned in a press release.

Despite this, José Gregorio has not given up. He has given statements to international media and has sought help from the Colombian authorities. But he has found no answers.

“I believe that they are alive,” he said. “I don’t believe that they disappeared as the result of a shipwreck because it is not possible that some 100 people have disappeared and not even one life vest is found.”

This article, produced by the Venezuela Investigative Unit, was originally published by Insight Crime, a Medellín-based foundation dedicated to the investigation and analysis of crime and security in Colombia and Latin America.