Chinese and others were going through the Darien Gap directly from Venezuela
Except, that actually happened. Tons of Venezuelans (~60%+) and Chinese (~25k in 2023) are crossing the Darién Gap, often starting in Venezuela or Ecuador. Chinese numbers spiked 10x since 2022, using smugglers and social media guides. Other groups like Afghans and Indians too. It’s a brutal route—swamps, bandits, deaths—but crossings dropped 98% in 2025 due to crackdowns. Sources: UN, Panama gov, news reports.
I saw the same news reports. Whatever. Venezuela does not share a land border with Panama, so going directly by land is not possible, and the way he repeatedly phrased it implied that he hadn't seen a map. I know it's not a big deal as to whether the guy is a good decoder, and everybody gets a few mulligans like that, but someone who is spreading info should know stuff like that. Anyway, he's not the voice that I want to tune in to for 2 or 3 hours on a regular basis. Happy to listen to him or change my mind if he breaks something special or if he has a guest I like, but that's just what it is.
Except, that actually happened. Tons of Venezuelans (~60%+) and Chinese (~25k in 2023) are crossing the Darién Gap, often starting in Venezuela or Ecuador. Chinese numbers spiked 10x since 2022, using smugglers and social media guides. Other groups like Afghans and Indians too. It’s a brutal route—swamps, bandits, deaths—but crossings dropped 98% in 2025 due to crackdowns. Sources: UN, Panama gov, news reports.
I saw the same news reports. Whatever. Venezuela does not share a land border with Panama, so going directly by land is not possible, and the way he repeatedly phrased it implied that he hadn't seen a map. I know it's not a big deal as to whether the guy is a good decoder, and everybody gets a few mulligans like that, but someone who is spreading info should know stuff like that. Anyway, he's not the voice that I want to tune in to for 2 or 3 hours on a regular basis. Happy to listen to him or change my mind if he breaks something special or if he has a guest I like, but that's just what it is.