Panama’s president-elect José Raul Mulino recently announced plans to increase border control along its difficult southern border with Colombia. The president-elect stated that the coming government intends to install new checkpoints in a densely forested area along the border—an area considered a hazardous passage for the surge of migrants endeavoring to reach the US. Mulino’s announcement comes amidst increasing efforts to “end the odyssey of the Darien,” referencing the jungle dividing Panama and Colombia.
In his proclamation as president-elect, Mulino highlighted his government’s efforts to emphasize that Panama and the Darien are not merely transit routes. He explained his aim for closure, mentioning plans to initiate a repatriation process with international support. This process seeks to send back all individuals in the Darien back to their countries of origin, fully adhering to human rights considerations.
Reacting to these proposed measures, UNICEF has given forewarnings on potential outcomes of the enforced border closure. Drawing from experiences in other regions, they predict that people typically look for alternative routes, which often present a greater danger. UNICEF also disclosed that child migrant crossings through the Darien Gap have seen an increase of 40% this year, comprising a substantial group of border crossers. More details can be found in the original report and UNICEF’s statement.
Several experts have also shared their perspectives, asserting that complete border closure is impractical and may detrimentally affect thousands of migrants seeking to venture through the jungle. These specialists also highlighted that such policies tend to contradict those implemented by other countries on migration and border issues. You can read their insights in this BBC Mundo article.
Over time, the Darien Gap has transformed into one of the globe’s busiest migrant routes. Those attempting to traverse face severe dangers ranging from organized crime, sexual violence, to human trafficking. With the proposed border controls, these challenges may witness a shift, although the extent and nature of these changes remain to be seen.