Panama's President Addresses Migrant Crisis amid Darien Gap Crossings Surge

Panama's President José Raúl Mulino declared that migrants entering Panama through the Darien Gap will only be repatriated if they consent, affecting the previously stricter immigration policies. Mulino emphasized that the migration issue is mainly a U.S. problem, as most migrants aim to reach the U.S. rather than stay in Panama.

Panama's President José Raúl Mulino announced Thursday that migrants entering Panama through the perilous Darien Gap will only be sent back to their countries if they agree to it, potentially reducing the impact of stricter immigration enforcement Mulino had originally advocated.

Mulino, who began his term on July 1, committed to curbing the increasing influx of migrants from Colombia, and secured a deal for the U.S. government to fund repatriation flights.

However, on Thursday, he emphasized that the migration issue predominantly concerns the United States, minimizing Panama's role. "This is a United States problem that we are managing. People don't want to live here in Panama; they want to go to the United States," he stated in his inaugural weekly press conference. If migrants reject returning to their home countries, "then they'll go (to the U.S.). I can't arrest them; we can't forcibly repatriate them."

In a record-breaking 2023, over 500,000 migrants crossed the Darien Gap. So far this year, over 212,000 migrants have made the crossing. Recently, the National Border Service reported 11,363 migrants had crossed since Mulino took office, about 9,000 fewer than during the same period last year. To control the flow, Panama's border police have installed about three miles of barbed wire to funnel migrants to a single reception point.

Mulino explained that repatriation processes are governed by international agreements, though he did not detail why Panama could not deport migrants who entered the country illegally. He urged migrants surviving the hazardous Darien crossing – a journey fraught with rushing rivers, venomous snakes, bandits, and sexual assaults – to reconsider continuing their journey or return home.

Mulino also expressed optimism that Venezuela's upcoming presidential election on July 28 could reduce the number of Venezuelan migrants, who constitute more than half of those crossing the Darien. "Practically all of Venezuela is walking through there every day," he said. "If the elections in that country are carried out properly, respecting the popular will regardless of who wins, I'm confident that number will decrease."

(With inputs from agencies.)