In an era where waiting in line for your daily caffeine fix feels like an epic journey, some folks are taking even bigger risks. The Darién Gap, the once nearly impenetrable jungle on the border of Colombia and Panama, has become a bustling corridor for migrants hoping to reach the United States and Canada. Move over, Starbucks—this line has stakes much higher than a double-shot macchiato.

In the first five months of 2024, over 170,000 migrants embarked on the treacherous journey through the Darién Gap. From January to June 6, Panama's National Migration Service recorded 174,513 crossings. Yes, that’s more people than you’ll find in most football stadiums. This surge represents a 2% increase over the same period last year. One might imagine the Gap could now qualify as a tourist attraction, if it weren't so dangerously inhospitable.

The Darién Gap was once regarded as almost impassable due to its dense jungle, abundant wildlife, and sheer remoteness. However, it seems the inhospitable environment is no longer a deterrent—it’s more like the latest trending challenge for those desperate enough to leave their homes. Indeed, a record 520,000 people crossed the Darién Gap in 2023. With numbers like these, don’t be surprised if the Gap starts selling tickets or offers a loyalty card program.

Starting July 1, Panama's new government, under President-elect José Raúl Mulino, plans to tighten the southern border to control the increasing migration influx. Although it’s easier said than done—after all, repatriating migrants through the dense jungle is not a task you’d find even Bear Grylls attempting on a dare. But it's clear that Panama is gearing up to try some novel strategies.

As if these numbers weren't staggering enough, consider that in just the first six days of June 2024, 4,499 people crossed the Darién Gap. Of these, 901 were children. Talk about a family outing that's not for the faint-hearted. Over the first four months of 2024, over 30,000 children made this perilous journey, and approximately 2,000 of them were either unaccompanied or separated from their families. This twist on the "Lost in the Woods" theme is one nobody asked for.

Unsurprisingly, Venezuelans make up the largest group crossing the Gap in 2024, patching together bits of hope and scraps of survival instincts. The start of the rainy season in April and May caused a decline in crossings, but one can only expect the migrants to don their metaphorical raincoats and press on. After all, there’s no weather app that can deter them from their destination dreams.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration's broad asylum ban may throw a wrench in these aspirations. This move might deter some from making the journey, adding yet another layer to the already convoluted tapestry of migration policies and migrant aspirations. The uncertainty surrounding the upcoming November U.S. elections further adds to this mix of trepidation and determination among migrants.

Navigating the Darién Gap is not exactly a Sunday hike. Migrants face multiple risks, including robbery, assault, kidnapping, disease, wild animal attacks, and accidents. Many migrants end up paying human smugglers to help navigate through this deadly lush labyrinth, turning what could be an organic National Geographic docuseries into an unfortunate survival reality show.

If you ever found yourself complaining about the constant buzz of your city life, maybe a little perspective from the Darién Gap’s migratory hustle might make your day a tad brighter. So, next time you’re waiting for your coffee and bagel combo and it feels like an eternity, spare a thought for those whose "line" at the Darién Gap involves stakes a lot higher than a lukewarm latte—because survival isn't on the Starbucks menu.