Panama has shut down the Darién Gap migration route due to fears of mass deportations under U.S. policy. President José Raúl Mulino stated that the number of migrants has significantly decreased, leading to dismantling of support camps. Migrants are now returning south instead of heading to the U.S., opting for boat travel from Panama’s Caribbean ports to Colombia.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino announced that the Darién Gap, situated between Colombia and Panama, has ceased to function as a corridor for migrants pursuing opportunities in the United States. This change comes amid heightened fears of mass deportations following the policies of the Trump administration, which have significantly reduced the number of migrants using this perilous route, once frequented by approximately one million travelers over the last three years.
During a press conference, President Mulino indicated that, “We have closed an operation that began in 2016,” emphasizing the notable decline in migrant crossings, which have fallen to just 112 in March. The Darién jungle, stretching 266 kilometers and encompassing 575,000 hectares, had served as a critical passage for many, particularly Venezuelans. To address this crisis, the Panamanian government and UN agencies established support posts to assist the influx of travelers, including vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
President Mulino further noted, “another flow is coming, the one from the north, which is beginning to rise,” indicating a trend where migrants are returning south from Mexico and other Central American countries instead of continuing to the U.S. This change in migration patterns allows these individuals to avoid the dangerous jungle, as they can now travel by boat from small Caribbean ports in Panama to reach Colombia.
To solidify this shift, President Mulino stated, “We will not allow more migrants in the Darién region,” reinforcing his commitment made during his 2024 election campaign. His administration has also set up an organized exit route through the jungle, enabling migrants to leave Panama via the same pathway leading to departure points on the Caribbean coast. Consequently, due to the reduction in migrant arrivals, Panama has started dismantling the camps initially created to provide assistance to these individuals.
The closure of the Darién Gap as a migration route reflects the impact of U.S. immigration policies on regional migration patterns. The Panamanian government is responding by facilitating the return of migrants and dismantling support structures previously established to assist them. This shift marks a significant change in the dynamics of migration through Central America, continuing to evolve amid evolving political contexts.
Original Source: ticotimes.net
