Panama’s next president has vowed to make big changes to ease the U.S. border crisis.
President-elect Jose Raul Mulino has vowed to close the critical migration gap through Panama, which was used by more than 500,000 migrants last year, signaling a shift in policy for the country as the U.S. continues to grapple with the crisis at its southern border. did. According to a report from Voice of America.
“Panama and our Darien [Gap] This is not a passing route. According to reports, that is our border,” Mulino said.
Panama previously helped bus migrants cross the critical gap and allowed them to continue their journey north, a policy that could allow thousands to reach the U.S. border with Mexico. Became.
The changes come as the U.S. continues to put pressure on Mexico to help ease the crisis, helping to tighten movement restrictions within Mexican territory to prevent migrants from ultimately reaching the U.S. border. It happened while I was being asked to do something.
Although the Darien Gap is a dangerous route north toward the United States, it has become popular among immigrants in recent years as cartels and other organized crime groups intervene to make it an affordable option for those trying to reach the United States. This is the route.
Mulino, who won last week with 34% of the vote, said the new policies would make Panama a less attractive option for immigrants and criminal organizations.
“Because once you start deporting people here with the immediate deportation program, there’s less interest in sneaking through Panama,” Mulino said of the plan, according to the Voice of America. “They’ll say it’s not attractive to go through Panama because we’re going to deport you.”
Nevertheless, some experts expressed skepticism that such a plan would significantly reduce immigration. Adam Isacson, an analyst with the nongovernmental organization’s Washington office on Latin America, said Panama does not have the capacity to “export on a large scale” thousands of immigrants.
“Flying a plane every day is very expensive, but only repatriates about 10% of the volume (about 1,000 to 1,200 people per day). The United States can only operate about 130 flights per month worldwide. Isakson said.
