While living in South America I talked to hundreds of travelers from Europe who were forced to connect through the USA on their way south, and they all had to clear customs, even if for just a one hour layover.
The hoops they had to jump through, and the stories they told. 99% vowed they would never again board a plane to the USA.
True. I have to get from Medellin, Colombia to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic soon. I had three choices:
* about 10h travel time via MIA and/or JFK for $240 (+ $50 for ESTA)
* 4.5h via Panama City to Punta Cana plus 8h on a bus for $800
* 17h via Curacao, Aruba, Saint Martin to Santo Domingo and then 5h on a bus for $320 (+ $70 for night in a hotel on Curacao and transfers to/from the airport, + $20 Curacao Airport ripoff fee)
The hoops they had to jump through, and the stories they told. 99% vowed they would never again board a plane to the USA.