Panama’s President-elect Jose Raul Mulino has pledged to take bold steps to address the ongoing US border crisis by shutting down a crucial migration route through the country. The Darien Gap, a treacherous path used by over 500,000 migrants in the past year, will no longer serve as a transit route under Mulino’s administration.
Previously, Panama had facilitated the movement of migrants through the Darien Gap, allowing them to continue their journey north towards the US border with Mexico. However, Mulino’s new policy aims to make Panama a less attractive option for both migrants and criminal organizations involved in human trafficking.
The decision comes amidst continued pressure on Mexico to help curb the influx of migrants reaching the US border. By closing off the Darien Gap, Panama hopes to deter migrants from using the dangerous route and reduce the burden on both Panama and the US.
While some experts have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the plan, Mulino remains confident that immediate deportation measures will discourage migrants from attempting to pass through Panama. The new policy is expected to have a significant impact on migration patterns in the region and could potentially alleviate the strain on the US border.
As Panama prepares to implement these changes, the international community will be closely watching to see how the closure of the Darien Gap will impact the flow of migrants and the overall border crisis.