Credits: CNN
Panama City, Panama — In a landmark move to address escalating immigration challenges, the United States and Panama signed an agreement aimed at halting the flow of illegal migrants through the treacherous Darién Gap, the Panamanian government announced on Monday.
The agreement, signed by Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha and US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, includes a commitment from the US to bear the cost of repatriating migrants who enter Panama illegally through the Darién Gap. The US will also provide Panama with essential support in the form of equipment, transportation, and logistics to manage migrants who violate Panamanian immigration laws.
Under the memorandum of understanding, Panama has pledged to uphold international agreements and conventions related to the rights of immigrants and refugees, ensuring humane treatment and protection for those in need.
The Darién Gap, a dense and perilous rainforest region connecting South and Central America, has become a critical passage for migrants journeying from Colombia to Panama, often in hopes of reaching the United States and Canada. The 66-mile (106-kilometer) trek is fraught with dangers, including rough terrain and criminal activity, making it one of the most challenging migration routes in the world.
This agreement follows a strong stance taken by Panama’s newly inaugurated President Jose Raul Mulino, who declared on Monday that Panama will no longer serve as a transit country for illegal migrants.
“I will not allow Panama to be a path open to thousands of people who enter our country illegally, supported by international networks related to drug and human trafficking,” President Mulino asserted during his swearing-in ceremony, drawing cheers from the audience.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Mulino pointed out the alarming numbers of illegal immigrants passing through the Darién. “The magnitude of the problem and the dimension of the humanitarian and environmental crisis it causes in the Darién Gap are staggering,” he said.
Mulino emphasized Panama’s commitment to preserving the Darién Gap’s biodiversity. “The Darién must continue to be a great green lung, not only for us but for the entire region. We must defend it and take care of it. Its biodiversity cannot be put at risk by illicit activities.”
Panamanian authorities reported that at least 174,513 migrants crossed the dangerous Darién Gap from January to June 6 this year, surpassing the 166,000 crossings during the same period in 2023. Last year saw a record 520,000 migrants making the perilous journey through the jungle, according to Panama’s National Migration Service.
As Panama and the US join forces to tackle the pressing issue of illegal migration, the new agreement signals a significant step toward mitigating the humanitarian and environmental crises posed by the migration flow through the Darién Gap.