Section » Africa

Number of Africans, surge in Latin America trying to get to the U.S.

The number of Africans fleeing to the region en route to the United States has been increasing.

telesurtv.net reported an increasing number of African refugees fleeing violence are travelling through various parts of Latin America to eventually reach U.S. with the hopes of building a new life. However, they are facing roadbloacks, complications and corruption along the way, according to local reports.

Thousands have been estimated to be coming to Latin America via sea and air, with many using clandestine human smuggling routes due to violence in Africa and tightening border restrictions in Europe.

ADVANCED SPANISH VOCABULARY – READ THIS BOOK

Increased border enforcement within Latin America has made undocumented migration increasingly dangerous, with many migrants falling prey to organized crime marked by a subsequent increase in corruption and human smuggling across the region, according to analysis from the International Crisis Group.

While the clandestine nature of migration means that accurate numbers are hard to judge, nearly 3,700 African migrants from 24 states came through Mexican migration centers in the first half of 2016, according to data from the Institute of National Migration in Mexico. Of those, 53.7 percent came from the Democratic Republic of the Congo where thousands have fled from civil unrest.

Thousands of Africans – many without documentation – are thought to pay smugglers between US$ 5,000 to $10,000 to travel to Latin America, according to El Pais.

Many Africans have been stuck in Mexico, swelling towns close to the U.S. border. As Mexico does not have deportation agreements with many African governments and cannot hold migrants in facilities for more than three months, most receive exit permits from Mexico and then continue their journey toward the U.S.

In June, Gladys Jimenez from Costa Rica’s national immigration agency estimated that up to 20,000 refugees from Africa were expected to land in the country. Jimenez said that the region is not equipped to handle the African surge and identified over 20 smuggling routes, who commonly arrive in Colombia or Brazil and make their way north.

Increasing refugees from Africa, as well as Cuba, are becoming stranded in Costa Rica and setting up camps near the Panama border. This then prompted Costa Rica to close its border with Panama, blocking northbound passages for migrants.

A number of Latin American countries have criticized U.S. immigration policy within the region, saying that the so called “wet-foot, dry-foot” policy has encouraged the dangerous migration of Cubans within the region and fueled the an ongoing migration and humanitarian crisis.

Thousands of refugees are also looking to flee to the U.S. via Mexico from the so-called northern triangle of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, one of the most dangerous regions in the world outside of a war zone, with an estimated 50,000 homicide victims in the last three years. Read Article

No CommentsPermalink

Sunni Extremists entering U.S with help from alien smugglers in South America

ADVANCED SPANISH VOCABULARY – READ THIS BOOK freebeacon.com/ Bill Gertz reported Sunni extremists are infiltrating the United States with the help of alien smugglers in South America and are crossing U.S. borders with ease, according to a U.S. South Command intelligence report. The Command’s J-2 intelligence directorate reported recently in internal channels that “special interest […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Mexico giving unvetted Africans pass to get to U.S. Border

breitbart.com reported hundreds of African asylum seekers have flooded Mexican border cities with the U.S. in an effort to get to California and Texas to obtain U.S. asylum — many of the unvetted migrants are from the terror hotbed of Somalia. Rather than having to hide along the way, the African migrants have been getting […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Surge of African immigrants arrive Mexico, seeking transit to U.S. for asylum

NYTIMES.COM reported Mexican immigration authorities say 424 migrants from African countries arrived at the southern state of Chiapas over two days last week. The National Immigration Institute said Tuesday that it has issued them 20-day transit visas that will allow the migrants to reach the U.S.-Mexico border, where they plan to request asylum. Officials call […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Five Ghanaians found dead on Colombia-Panama border in route to U.S.

ghanaweb.com reported five Ghanaian citizens, presumably illegal migrants traveling to the United States of America, were found dead on the Panamanian-Colombian border over the weekend. A farmer found their bodies washed up on the Turquesa River near Bajo Chiquito. The deceased were allegedly part of a larger group of 35 people fleeing from three separate […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Guayaquil Ecuador: Medical Authorities to rule out ebola virus in death of visitor from Africa

eluniverso.com reported National epidemiological surveillance director Pablo Acosta said on Wednesday that the African citizen of 32 years died Tuesday in Guayaquil for still unknown reasons suffering ebola, as it was rumored in the last few hours.”Does not set a case of ebola because there is a case of ebola in Senegal”, the official told […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Ecuador detains international roving band of credit card cloners

peopledaily reported police dismantled in Ecuador international bandwidth dedicated to card cloning Ecuador police cracked down an international band comprising four African and three Latin America, dedicated to the cloning of credit cards, said today the Ministry of the Interior. The foreigners were detained in “flagrante delicto” during operations made the day before in the […]

No CommentsRead this post »

EBOLA: Colombia restricts access to all persons coming from infected countries in Africa

lainfo.es reported Colombia’s government said Tuesday it will restrict access to its territory to all persons who have been in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria during the last month as a measure to prevent the arrival of Ebola in the country. Information outlined in the Colombian Foreign Ministry Radio Caracol require that national interests […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Brazil: man just returned from Africa, isolated with possible symptoms of ebola virus

eluniverso.com reported Brazilian health authorities isolated a man presenting possible symptoms of ebola, so it will be transferred to Rio de Janeiro for a best watching, according to the website of ‘O Globo According to Brazilian media, the man – who returned to Brazil 19 days ago after traveling to Africa and whose identity has […]

No CommentsRead this post »

More African, Asian migrants using Costa Rica on route to U.S., Canada

ticotimes.net reported during the summer of 2014, massive flows of Central American migrants – many unaccompanied children – flooded the southwestern border of the United States. While tens of thousands of migrants have been fleeing violence and poverty in search of new opportunities in the U.S., other migrants from Africa and Asia have been traveling […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Ecuadorian Flower Grower Looks to Africa for further expansion to Europe

allafrica.com reported an Ecuadorian investor said he has begun introducing state-of-the-art technology to the Ethiopian floriculture sector which is suitable to the European flower market. Owner and General Manager of the Ecuador-based cut flower group Bellaflor, Mauricio Castillo, said besides its proximity to the European market, the lower transportation cost for flowers has made Ethiopia […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Peru issues alert for Ebola

plenglishThe Peruvian Government issued a warning on Friday to all medical services due to a possible risk of imported Ebola cases in the country. The General Epidemiology Directorate (DGE), attached to the Ministry of Health, recommended all its institutions to take surveillance actions in light of possible Ebola patients arriving from abroad. Read Article

No CommentsRead this post »

Ecuador discussing establishing embassy in Angola

portalangop.co.ao reported…This was announced Monday in by Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, Ricardo Patino. Speaking to journalists at the end of a meeting with the Angolan delegation, the diplomat said contacts are underway for the establishment of embassies in the two respective countries until 2016. “We are working together with the Angolan […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Brasilia, Brazil: Brazil and Congo Sign Bilateral Agreement to Combat Deforestation

agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br reported on September 17, 2013 that Brazil and Congo signed the Memorandum of Understanding in attempt to reduce deforestation and promote environmental sustainability as both countries have the largest rainforests in the world. The bilateral effort aims to share technology and resources such as satellite imagery, staff training and management practices. The issue of […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Gulf of Urabá, Colombia: Four Arrested at Border for Human Trafficking

On August 21, 2013 La Hora Noticias reported that a judge in Cartagena has sentenced to pretrial detention four individuals accused of involvement in an international human trafficking organization. According to the investigation, the accused suspects allegedly participated in the transport of immigrants from Africa and Asia to Colombia and then to Panama, with the […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Two Africans and Four Colombians Arrested for Human Trafficking in Colombia

On August 15, 2013 El Colombiano Noticias reported the arrest of two Africans and four Colombian citizens on charges of human trafficking. The arrests occurred Monday in Bogotá, Medellin, Turbo and Gamarra. The suspects are accused of involvement in a criminal organization that trafficked immigrants to Panama with a final destination in the United States. […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Antioquia, Colombia: Police Break Up International Human Trafficking Network

On August 14, 2013 Infosur Noticias reported the arrest of twelve suspects and the rescue of nine undocumented immigrants after Colombian authorities dismantled an international human trafficking network in the department of Antioquia. The traffickers were planning to transport the immigrants, five Nepalese and four Bangladeshis, to Panama where they would then be sent to […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Foreign Passengers Detained at Airport for Smuggling Cocaine

Terra reported on July 20, 2013 that the Federal Police detained two passengers at the Tom Jobim International Airport in Rio de Janeiro, for attempting to transport drugs to Europe and Africa. A Dutch passenger was arrested for smuggling 2 pounds of cocaine destined to Lisbon, Portugal and eventually Amsterdam. The other man, a Russian […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Dictator’s Son of Equatorial Guinea Accused of Money Laundering in Brazil

primeiraedicao.com.br reported on July 7, 2013 that the son of the African dictator, Teodorin Nguema Obiang Mangue of Equatorial Guinea is accused of money laundering in Brazil. In a document of American Justice, it is suspected that Nguema spent more than US $65 million in goods and services in 2008. His expenses include that of […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Within a Decade, Trade Between Brazil and Africa Increases by 416%

On June 6, 2013, Terra reported the Ministry of Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade reveal there has been a significant increase in Brazil’s economic relationship with African countries. Between 2002 and 2012, trade has increased by 416%. African countries have increased their use of Brazilian exports to 5.03% in 2012 compared to 3.91% in 2002. […]

No CommentsRead this post »

President of Brazil Visits Ethiopia to Celebrate African Union

Globo reported on May 25, 2013 that President Dilma attended the 50th anniversary celebration of the African Union. In Ethiopia, President Dilma met with Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, to sign acts of bilateral cooperation in income transfer, air services, education, science and technology, as well as agricultural development. According to Dilma, Brazil wants to […]

Comments Off on President of Brazil Visits Ethiopia to Celebrate African UnionRead this post »

African gangs using mail, courier services in Brazil to smuggle drugs to Europe

According to noticias.uol.com.br African gangs; primarily Nigerians, are using postal services in Brazil, to smuggle small amounts of cocaine to countries such as Spain, China, and the United Kingdom, where overseas operating networks have expanded the illegal trade. Due to Brazil’s strategic location with neighboring cocaine-producing countries, in addition to its frequent flights to Europe, […]

Comments Off on African gangs using mail, courier services in Brazil to smuggle drugs to EuropeRead this post »

Guayana: Breeze Soap Powder shipment contained 350 kilos cocaine set to ship to Africa

Police yesterday intercepted more than 350 kilogrammes of cocaine at John Fernandes Limited shipping container facility on Mandela Avenue. Kaieteur News understands that the drug was found stashed in a consignment of Breeze Soap Powder. The drug was reportedly intended to be shipped to Niger, Africa, and was due to leave Guyana next Tuesday (December […]

Comments Off on Guayana: Breeze Soap Powder shipment contained 350 kilos cocaine set to ship to AfricaRead this post »

Guyana: Nigerian arrested, convicted of entering country illegally from Suriname

A Nigerian man has been charged for entering Guyana illegally. The accused, Banard Chukuniba, pleaded guilty to the allegation when his case was presented to Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine Beharry last Monday. As stated in the charge, Chukuniba entered Guyana by sea via the Corentyne River without presenting himself to an immigration officer. Read Article

Comments Off on Guyana: Nigerian arrested, convicted of entering country illegally from SurinameRead this post »

Ghana cuts electricity, water to Argentina’s ship Fragata Libertad in continuing dispute

Ghana today submitted a complaint for contempt and left without water, electricity and fuel to the ship “Freedom” after armed sailors prevented an operation to move to another berth the vessel held since early October in a Ghanaian port by a legal claim hedge fund, spokesmen said yesterday Tema port. The defense ministry had previously […]

Comments Off on Ghana cuts electricity, water to Argentina’s ship Fragata Libertad in continuing disputeRead this post »

300 Argentine sailors to leave Ghana via jet

The crew of an Argentine navy ship, which was impounded as part of a debt dispute more than three weeks ago in Ghana, have boarded a plane for Argentina, according to bbc.co.uk. Almost 300 sailors will leave on an Air France plane chartered by the Argentine government. Read Article

Comments Off on 300 Argentine sailors to leave Ghana via jetRead this post »

Argentina: impounded ship in Ghana evacuated

The Argentine government ordered on Saturday the evacuation of the naval training frigate ARA Libertad impounded in Ghana by international creditors, following the warning made on Friday that complaints would be taken to the UN over the controversy. Read Article

Comments Off on Argentina: impounded ship in Ghana evacuatedRead this post »

Maiquetia Venezuela: Nigerian detained with cocaine en route to Nairobi

The Commander of the Special Anti-Drug Unit of the GNB Maiquetia, Lieutenant Colonel Juan Alberto Ramos Faria said that this citizen attempted to board the flight JJ8051, airline TAM, bound for Sao Paulo-Dubai-Nairobi. Staff assigned to the Drug Enforcement Special Unit Maiquetia, succeeded in capturing a Nigerian citizen, (31) with 14.900 Kg of suspected cocaine […]

Comments Off on Maiquetia Venezuela: Nigerian detained with cocaine en route to NairobiRead this post »

Africa a “drug bridge” between Latin America and Europe, UN says

The United Nations International Narcotics control reported that Africa has become a hub for drug trafficking from Latin America to Europe. According to an El Mundo report, drugs from countries such as Colombia enter Africa through the west coast. At the same time, countries in eastern Africa often serve as transit areas for drugs heading […]

Comments Off on Africa a “drug bridge” between Latin America and Europe, UN saysRead this post »

Brazil, Africa drug connection

The vicious drug cartels in Colombia and Mexico regularly make headlines, but there has been remarkably less public attention to the growing role of Brazil—and Brazilian organized crime —as a major player in the global trade in illicit narcotics. Expanding links between Brazilian criminal groups and their counterparts in West Africa, easy access to European […]

Comments Off on Brazil, Africa drug connectionRead this post »

Panama a transit country for human trafficking; Many come from Africa

Experts estimate that over 80,000 individuals are trafficked each year, and that Panama has become a major transit country. According to TVN Noticias, many individuals involved in these operations pay high sums to be taken to a new country. Many of those trafficked in Panama come from Africa via the Atlantic Ocean. Security forces in […]

Comments Off on Panama a transit country for human trafficking; Many come from AfricaRead this post »

Drugs headed to Nigeria stopped in Argentina airport; Hidden in dredging machine

Half a ton of cocaine intended to be shipped to Nigeria was discovered and confiscated at the Buenos Aires airport in Argentina. The customs staff, with the help of drug-sniffing dogs, found the cocaine during an inspection. The drugs were concealed in a dredging machine, Periodismo Vivo reports. The total weight of the shipment was […]

Comments Off on Drugs headed to Nigeria stopped in Argentina airport; Hidden in dredging machineRead this post »