Panama Closes Darién Gap Migration Route Amid Decrease in Migrant Crossings
President José Raúl Mulino announces the shutdown of a key migration corridor as deportation fears deter travelers.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino announced on Thursday that the Darién Gap, an inhospitable jungle straddling the border between Colombia and Panama, has been effectively closed to migrants.
This decision follows a significant decrease in the number of individuals attempting to traverse this perilous route, which previously witnessed extensive migrant traffic seeking entry into the United States.
Over the past three years, approximately one million travelers had used this corridor, predominantly composed of Venezuelans fleeing their home country’s socio-economic crisis.
President Mulino cited that as of March 2023, only 112 migrants were recorded crossing the Darién, marking a dramatic decline in flow.
The Darién Gap, encompassing 266 kilometers and 575,000 hectares of dense jungle, became a focal point of migration as thousands undertook the treacherous journey.
In response, the Panamanian government, in collaboration with UN agencies, had established support posts to aid these migrants, including vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
The reduction in crossings has been attributed to fears of mass deportations orchestrated by the U.S. government under the administration of former President Donald Trump.
Consequently, President Mulino noted a shift in migrant patterns, with individuals from Central America and Mexico now turning back southward towards their home countries, rather than proceeding to the U.S. This marked the emergence of a new migratory flow from the north.
In his address, Mulino emphasized the government's commitment to managing migration through the Darién region, stating, "We will not allow more migrants in the Darién region." This directive aligns with Mulino's earlier campaign promises to close this migration route ahead of the 2024 elections.
The Panamanian authorities have since implemented an exit strategy for migrants entering Panama, enabling them to leave through designated pathways that lead back to Colombia via the Caribbean coast.
As a result of the dramatic downturn in migrant traffic, Panama has initiated the dismantling of camps that had been established to provide necessary aid to migrants.
The current landscape of the Darién migration route, once bustling with travelers, now reflects an entirely altered reality as the government consolidates its position on border management and migratory controls.
This decision follows a significant decrease in the number of individuals attempting to traverse this perilous route, which previously witnessed extensive migrant traffic seeking entry into the United States.
Over the past three years, approximately one million travelers had used this corridor, predominantly composed of Venezuelans fleeing their home country’s socio-economic crisis.
President Mulino cited that as of March 2023, only 112 migrants were recorded crossing the Darién, marking a dramatic decline in flow.
The Darién Gap, encompassing 266 kilometers and 575,000 hectares of dense jungle, became a focal point of migration as thousands undertook the treacherous journey.
In response, the Panamanian government, in collaboration with UN agencies, had established support posts to aid these migrants, including vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
The reduction in crossings has been attributed to fears of mass deportations orchestrated by the U.S. government under the administration of former President Donald Trump.
Consequently, President Mulino noted a shift in migrant patterns, with individuals from Central America and Mexico now turning back southward towards their home countries, rather than proceeding to the U.S. This marked the emergence of a new migratory flow from the north.
In his address, Mulino emphasized the government's commitment to managing migration through the Darién region, stating, "We will not allow more migrants in the Darién region." This directive aligns with Mulino's earlier campaign promises to close this migration route ahead of the 2024 elections.
The Panamanian authorities have since implemented an exit strategy for migrants entering Panama, enabling them to leave through designated pathways that lead back to Colombia via the Caribbean coast.
As a result of the dramatic downturn in migrant traffic, Panama has initiated the dismantling of camps that had been established to provide necessary aid to migrants.
The current landscape of the Darién migration route, once bustling with travelers, now reflects an entirely altered reality as the government consolidates its position on border management and migratory controls.
