Over 200,000 migrants cross Darien Gap this year

In less than three years, half a million irregular migrants have crossed the Darien border, according to statistics from the National Migration Service (SNM), which so far this year registers the passage through the Darien jungle of at least 200,000 travelers.

From January 1 to July 5, 2023, a total of 201,167 people crossed the border irregularly, coming from Colombia.

The numbers reflect a significant increase in irregular migrants, compared to the 49,452 that passed through the Darién plug in the first half of 2022.

Throughout 2021 the figure was 133,726 migrants and in 2022 it increased to 248,284, which added to the 201,167 that have crossed the jungle so far in 2023, the data reveals that half a million irregular travelers made the perilous journey in less than three years.

According to the report of the immigration authority, so far this year 103,028 of the travelers who have crossed the border are Venezuelans. Haitians follow with 33,553, Ecuadorians with 25,925, Chinese, with 8,964, and Colombians with 6,489.

April was the month with the highest number of irregular migrants entering Panama through the Darién plug with 40,297 migrants.

 The main objective of most of these travelers is to reach North America.

“The National Migration Service points out that although migration is a universal right, it is important to carry out mobility in a regular, orderly, and safe manner. The Darién National Park has been a World Heritage Site since 1981, which is why the Panamanian authorities reiterate that “Darién is not a route”