Panama will soon begin repatriating undocumented migrants headed for the United States, following a recent agreement with the US. The decision comes as Panama’s new president, Jose Raul Mulino, aims to close the dangerous migration route through the Darien jungle, which lies between Colombia and Panama. Mulino, who was sworn in on Monday, declared that Panama can no longer bear the economic burden of illegal migration and will cease to be a migrant transit point.
After his inauguration, Panama signed an agreement with President Joe Biden’s top border official, Alejandro Mayorkas. The agreement includes US funding for migrant repatriation, a move designed to deter irregular crossings into the United States. Eric Jacobstein, US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central America, announced on Tuesday that repatriations would begin “in the coming weeks.” Specific details about the departure points or destinations of these repatriation flights were not provided.
The United States will allocate $6 million for these repatriations, which will cover the cost of plane tickets. The Darien Gap has become a critical passage for migrants traveling from South America through Central America and Mexico, with the hope of reaching the US. Despite its treacherous terrain, dense jungle, and dangers from wild animals and criminal gangs, over half a million undocumented migrants traversed this route last year.
Migration remains a significant issue as the US approaches its presidential elections in November. Last month, President Joe Biden issued an order to shut down the border to asylum seekers once daily limits are reached. Adrienne Watson, a spokeswoman for the US National Security Council, emphasized that returning migrants to their countries of origin would help deter irregular migration, disrupt smuggling networks, and protect vulnerable migrants from exploitation.