Courtesy
Maria, a Venezuelan migrant, has found refuge in La Pista, an informal settlement built on an abandoned runway in Colombia’s Guajira desert. She fled from the violent armed group La Zona in Venezuela and settled in Paraguaipoa before eventually arriving in La Pista. La Zona terrorized the community, extorting and recruiting young people forcefully. Maria’s story highlights the complex factors driving migration, including organized crime, political instability, and economic crisis. La Pista has become home to over 13,000 people, many of whom have escaped armed groups. However, the settlement lacks basic services and faces challenges such as crime and a lack of protection. Despite the difficulties, Maria sees La Pista as a better alternative, free from the reign of terror she experienced in her homeland. Full report -> InSightCrime
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