Ayub Ibrahim had recently exited the jungle, his tired feet still sore. Having fled a civil war in Somalia, he had traveled to Turkey, Brazil, and walked through the 66-mile wilderness known as the Darién Gap. Now resting in the hot San Vicente migrant camp in Panama, he was suddenly surrounded by Americans with video cameras.
The Americans asked him about Ilhan Omar and Joe Biden. Despite feeling ambushed, Ayub answered their questions, expressing admiration for Ms. Omar and thinking Mr. Biden was a good president. Later, he felt confused by the encounter, not intending to make a political statement.
Laura Loomer, one of the questioners, posted an edited video of the conversation online, which quickly gained traction. Right-wing media has been using videos of migrants from the Darién Gap to push narratives about an “invasion” of immigrants, blaming President Biden and Democrats for the situation.
Many of these videos can be traced back to the work of Michael Yon, a former Green Beret who has become a guide for right-wing journalists and influencers visiting the Darién Gap. They focus on migrants from Africa, China, and the Middle East, often asking politically loaded questions and editing the content to fit their narrative.
Critics warn that this kind of inflammatory coverage exacerbates the humanitarian crisis and puts migrants at risk. The focus on Muslim and Chinese migrants creates a distorted impression, as the majority of those crossing through the Darién Gap are from South America and the Caribbean.
Michael Yon, known for his controversial views and actions, has led tours for journalists and politicians, presenting a skewed perspective of the situation at the border. Despite claims of shedding light on the crisis, his tours have been criticized for misrepresenting migrants and potentially inciting violence against them.
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