President-elect Jose Raul Mulino of Panama has pledged to implement significant changes to address the ongoing crisis at the US-Mexico border. He plans to close the migration gap through Panama that has been used by over 500,000 migrants in the last year, signaling a shift in the country’s policy. Mulino emphasized that Panama considers the Darien Gap as its border, not a transit route to other nations. Previously, Panama had assisted migrants in crossing the critical gap and continuing their journey north towards the US border.
In response to the pressure from the United States to tackle the border crisis, Panama’s decision to shut down the migration route could have a significant impact. The US has been urging Mexico to enforce movement restrictions to prevent migrants from reaching its southern border, and Panama’s action could align with these efforts. The Darien Gap has become a popular route for migrants due to its affordability, despite the risks associated with the journey. Cartels and other criminal organizations have taken advantage of this route to facilitate the movement of migrants towards the US.
President-elect Mulino, who won the election with 34% of the vote, believes that the new policy will deter migrants and criminal organizations from choosing Panama as a transit route. By implementing immediate deportation plans, Panama aims to make the journey through the country less attractive for migrants seeking to reach the US border. Mulino expressed confidence that once migrants realize they are being deported upon entering Panama, they would reconsider using the country as a pathway to their destination.
However, some experts are skeptical about the effectiveness of Panama’s deportation plan in reducing migration flows. Adam Isacson, an analyst at the Washington Office on Latin America, believes that Panama lacks the capacity to carry out mass deportations of thousands of migrants. He pointed out that a daily plane to repatriate migrants would only account for a small fraction of the total flow, making it logistically and financially challenging for Panama. Isacson also noted that even the United States struggles to conduct a significant number of deportation flights globally.
In conclusion, the incoming president of Panama is taking a bold step to address the US border crisis by closing the migration gap through the Darien Gap. This decision marks a significant policy shift for Panama, which has previously allowed migrants to pass through the country towards the US border. While Mulino’s deportation plan aims to make Panama a less attractive transit option for migrants and criminal organizations, experts have raised concerns about the feasibility and effectiveness of such an approach. It remains to be seen how Panama’s new policy will impact migration patterns and the overall border situation in the region.
