In a recent press conference, Jose Raul Mulino, Panama's President, urged the United States to accelerate the delivery of financial aid for repatriating migrants who traverse the perilous Darien Gap into Panama. This appeal is part of the administration's broader strategy to curb migration through the Central American nation.
Mulino, who assumed office in early July 2024, has prioritized addressing the unprecedented influx of migrants crossing the Darien. His administration recently brokered an agreement with the US, wherein Washington would cover the expenses for returning unauthorized migrants entering Panama.
The Panamanian government's efforts have shown initial success. In July 2024, irregular migrant crossings through the Darien Gap decreased by 34% compared to the previous month. This reduction followed Panama's implementation of enhanced security measures, including the installation of barbed wire along key routes.
"The ball is in their court, we have done everything we can do. Their border is in Panama, not in Texas."
Mulino emphasized the urgency of receiving the promised US funds, highlighting their necessity for organizing repatriation flights. He asserted that Panama has fulfilled its obligations and now awaits US action.
Panama's strategic location has transformed it into a crucial transit route for hundreds of thousands of migrants annually, many of whom aim to reach the United States. In 2023, a record-breaking 520,000 migrants, predominantly Venezuelans, braved the treacherous Darien jungle, fleeing violence and economic hardship.
The Panamanian President expressed concern about a potential new wave of Venezuelan migrants following Venezuela's contested presidential elections in late July 2024. In response to these developments, Panama has devised a plan to repatriate Venezuelan migrants to Colombia, as Venezuela temporarily halted flights between the two countries after Panama joined other nations in calling for a review of the election results.
On August 8, 2024, Panama initiated its repatriation plan by funding a flight that returned 28 Colombian nationals to their home country. This move demonstrates Panama's commitment to addressing the migration challenge, even as it awaits US financial support.
It's worth noting that Panama, a country of approximately 4.3 million people, faces unique challenges in managing this migration crisis. The nation's economy, primarily service-based and reliant on sectors such as banking, commerce, and tourism, must balance its economic interests with the humanitarian aspects of migration.
The Darien Gap, a break in the Pan-American Highway consisting of undeveloped swampland and forest, has become a symbol of the perilous journey many migrants undertake. This region, home to diverse flora and fauna, including part of the largest rainforest in the Western Hemisphere outside the Amazon Basin, now finds itself at the center of a complex geopolitical and humanitarian issue.
As Panama continues to navigate this challenging situation, the international community watches closely to see how the collaboration between Panama and the United States will unfold in addressing this pressing migration issue.