Federico Ríos

Photojournalist

Biography 

Federico Ríos is a Colombian photojournalist who has extensively covered Latin America, documenting armed conflict, environmental issues, and their impact on society.
He is a frequent contributor to The New York Times.

In 2020, Ríos published VERDE, a book documenting a decade of Colombia’s guerrilla conflict. His most recent book, Darién (2024), focuses on migration through the Darién Gap.

Photos: Paths of Desperate Hope

This project documents the perilous journeys of migrants traversing the Darién Gap, a 100-kilometer long stretch of dense jungle connecting Colombia and Panama. Over a million people have braved this route since 2021. They hail from diverse nations – Afghans escaping Taliban rule, Venezuelans seeking refuge from economic collapse, Chinese fleeing authoritarianism, and many others – driven by the pursuit of a better life. Their stories are full of danger: treacherous rivers, unforgiving terrain, and the constant threat of violence and exploitation. Many never make it. Those who succeed find themselves only at the beginning of a different and difficult journey through Central America and Mexico to the United States.