Panama has struck a deal with the United States to shut down the perilous Darién Gap route used by migrants heading northward, with the US agreeing to finance the repatriation of those who enter Panama illegally.
José Raúl Mulino, in his inaugural address as president, highlighted the urgent need to address what he termed a costly “humanitarian and environmental crisis.” Last year alone, a record 520,000 migrants risked their lives crossing the dense jungle of the Darién Gap on Panama’s border with Colombia, often falling prey to human smugglers.
We cannot sustain the economic and social burdens caused by massive illegal immigration and its ties to international criminal organizations,” Mulino stated.
Following Mulino’s remarks, Panama’s new foreign minister signed a memorandum of understanding with the US government to halt illegal immigration through the Darién. US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, present at Mulino’s inauguration, signed the agreement, which mandates the US to cover the costs associated with repatriating illegal migrants.
According to a spokesperson from the White House national security council, the agreement aims to curb the smuggling of migrants through the Darién, a common pathway to the United States. Efforts to repatriate migrants are expected to deter irregular migration in the region and at the US southern border, disrupting criminal networks that exploit vulnerable migrants.
Under the terms of the agreement, US Homeland Security teams will assist Panama in training personnel and enhancing its capacity to identify migrants eligible for removal under Panama’s immigration laws. The US will fund charter flights or commercial tickets for migrants to return to their home countries.
The Darién Gap has increasingly served as a route for migrants from various parts of the southern hemisphere, including Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and China, seeking to reach the US. In 2024 alone, over 190,000 individuals have crossed the gap.
Amidst an election year, the Biden administration faces ongoing challenges in demonstrating control over immigration and border security. Former President Donald Trump has criticized Biden’s handling of border issues, contrasting his own administration’s stance on immigration.
Recent data revealed a notable decrease in undocumented crossings at the US southern border, marking a three-year low during Biden’s presidency, following a controversial executive order limiting immigration in June.