According to statements made by His Excellency Mr. José Raúl Mulino, President of the Republic of Panama, on various occasions during his administration—most notably during the opening of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly—“Panama is the new frontier of the United States of America.”
This statement would have been unthinkable 25 years ago, during a time when doubts persisted about whether the United States would return the Panama Canal and the territories under its control.
Background
After experiencing a major global economic crisis, the severe COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing armed conflicts, countries facing the greatest developmental challenges have surpassed their institutional capacities for sustainable governance. As a result, many citizens have made the difficult decision to leave their homelands in search of better living conditions.
Over the years, this migration has resulted in a large exodus of irregular migrants, causing disruptions in the internal affairs of third-party nations.
In these precarious circumstances, migrants risk their lives by crossing difficult terrain, often falling prey to criminal organizations that exploit the vulnerabilities of these desperate travellers.
Current Situation
“Panama is not the final destination for irregular migrants,” but rather a passageway to the “American dream” that these individuals pursue at all costs in hopes of achieving a better life.
The Darién Gap, a dangerous jungle, is a route that many of these migrants attempt to cross, often with tragic results. They face threats from wild animals, treacherous rivers, and criminal organizations operating in the area. Entire families, including women—many of whom are pregnant—and children, have lost their lives in this perilous journey.
Preliminary data from Panama’s National Border Service indicates that as of September 25, 2024, 257,974 irregular migrants had been recorded. The majority of these migrants come from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Haiti, with others coming from Africa, China, and India.
During their stay in Panama, these migrants are housed in temporary shelters until they are able to continue their journey through Central America and Mexico to reach the United States. However, Panama’s limited resources require the cooperation of other countries also affected by irregular migration. Unfortunately, many of these nations have failed to provide the necessary support, placing the entire burden on Panama.
New Measures
Under the new presidential administration of His Excellency José Raúl Mulino, strong measures have been implemented to address the issue of irregular migration, including the repatriation of these migrants to their home countries. On September 6, 2024, Panama deported 130 migrants from India on the first such flight out of the country. These deportees were captured in the Darién jungle, having evaded immigration checkpoints while entering Panama.
These measures have been made possible through a recently signed agreement between Panama and the United States, which facilitates the repatriation of irregular migrants to their countries of origin. This has led to the return of migrants from Ecuador, China, and India. In response to these actions, India has committed to investigating human trafficking routes following the deportation of its nationals.
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