The Colombian State’s Silence and the Effectiveness of Public Policies in Combating the Trafficking of Children in Migration Along the Darien Routes

This article analyzes the situation of migrant children crossing the Darién Gap, the most dangerous migration route connecting South America with Central America. Using a legal-descriptive approach, the study examines the risks and violations faced by minors, including exploitation, sexual abuse, family separation, and child trafficking, the migration public policies of the Colombian State, and the institutional response of entities such as the ICBF, the Ombudsman's Office, and international organizations like UNICEF, UNHCR, and IOM. The article concludes that an institutional silence persists regarding the specific protection of migrant children in the Darién and proposes the urgent implementation of comprehensive public policies that guarantee safe, orderly migration with a child rights-centered approach.