Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino announced a significant decrease in migrant crossings through the Darién Gap due to fears of U.S. deportations. The jungle route, previously frequented by over a million migrants, has seen its traffic drop to just 112 this March. Mulino’s government is enforcing a closure of this path and facilitating migrant returns to Colombia by boat from Caribbean ports.
The Darién Gap, a challenging jungle area between Colombia and Panama, has ceased to function as a migration route for individuals seeking opportunities in the United States. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino announced that the number of migrants traversing this area has diminished drastically due to escalating fears of mass deportations under former President Donald Trump. Previously, this route was used by over a million people heading toward the U.S. in the last three years.
Mulino confirmed, “We have closed an operation that began in 2016,” marking a significant drop in migrant crossings to just 112 this March. The Darién jungle spans 266 kilometers and consists of 575,000 hectares, having once served as a thoroughfare for thousands, predominantly Venezuelans. In response, the government, in collaboration with UN agencies, established support facilities for the migrants, including vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.
As the flow of migrants dwindles, Mulino pointed out a new trend: “another flow is coming, the one from the north, which is beginning to rise.” These migrants, now deterred by fear of deportation, are returning to their countries rather than continuing to the U.S. They bypass the jungle by using boats from small Caribbean ports in Panama to reach Colombia.
“We will not allow more migrants in the Darién region,” Mulino emphasized, highlighting his commitment to address this issue during his 2024 election. His administration has set up a designated exit route for migrants entering Panama, facilitating their return journey via the Caribbean coast. Following the sharp decrease in migrant traffic, Panama has begun dismantling the aid camps that were previously established to assist travelers in the Darién.
The shutdown of the Darién Gap as a migration route underscores significant changes in migration patterns driven by deportation fears. With only a limited number of recent crossings and a new influx returning to South America, the Panamanian government’s actions reflect its commitment to managing migration in line with political promises. The dismantling of aid facilities further signals a shift in the migrant landscape in this region.
Original Source: ticotimes.net
