Migrant crossings through deadly Darien Gap down 40% amid crackdown by Panama government
By arseniotoledo // 2024-12-27
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  • Migrant crossings through the Darien Gap dropped by approximately 42 percent in 2024, from 520,000 in 2023 to around 300,000 this year.
  • Panamanian authorities attribute the decline to enhanced border security measures, including biometric screening, increased troop deployments, the installation of razor wire fences and stricter enforcement of border controls.
  • Panama is also collaborating with the U.S., who has agreed to fund the repatriation of migrants entering Panama illegally.
  • The Darien Gap crossing remains dangerous, with at least 55 migrants dying in the jungles, including 10 who drowned in July.
  • Despite progress, Panamanian authorities face continued pressure to address the migrant crisis, with concerns that crossings could increase without sustained efforts and more support from the United States.
The number of migrants crossing the perilous Darien Gap has dropped by as much as 40 percent following a crackdown by Panamanian authorities. The Darien Gap is a 70-mile stretch of jungle that connects South and Central America. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, who took office in July with a campaign pledge to curb illegal immigration into and through Panama, implemented a series of measures that helped make travel through Panama much more difficult. Minister of Public Security Frank Abrego reported that only around 300,000 migrants made the journey north through the Darien Gap compared to a record-high 520,000 in 2023, a decline of around 42 percent. The decline is attributed to enhanced security measures, including biometric screening, which helps border agents identify individuals with criminal histories. Additionally, Panama has deployed troops, installed razor wire fences and implemented stricter controls to manage the flow of migrants. Mulino’s administration has also collaborated with the United States to address migration through the Darien Gap. Under a bilateral agreement, the U.S. agreed to cover the costs of repatriating migrants who enter Panama illegally.

55 Migrants dead, 180 children abandoned in Darien Gap

The dangers of the Darien Gap remain stark. Mulino reported that 55 migrants have died in the Darien in 2024, including 10 who drowned in July while attempting to cross a swollen river during the rainy season. Panamanian authorities suspect the actual death toll may be higher, as many bodies are unrecoverable in the remote jungle. Additionally, 180 unaccompanied minors were abandoned in the jungles this year, with some left alone after their relatives died or became lost. These children are now under the care of Panamanian child welfare institutions. The migration crisis has placed significant pressure on Panama and other countries along the route, including Mexico, to address the issue. Panama has closed several routes in the Darien region and begun deporting migrants on flights funded by the U.S. government. However, the challenges persist, as migrants continue to risk their lives in pursuit of reaching the United States. Mulino emphasized the need for ongoing U.S. support from the incoming government of President-elect Donald Trump, stating, “We want the Trump administration to realize that its border is actually here at the Darien Gap and to see how complicated that area is.” Despite the progress, Mulino expressed concern that migration numbers could rise again without sustained efforts. At its peak, as many as 25,000 migrants traversed through the jungles of the Darien Gap daily. Migrants who successfully navigate the dense terrain are often transported by bus through Panama and into Costa Rica, continuing their journey northward. Learn more about the ongoing problems faced by authorities dealing with the migrant crisis at Migrants.news. Watch this video showing how the United Nations is helping migrants at the Darien Gap make their way north to the United States. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

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