Over 15,000 irregular migrants cross Darien Gap in 19 days
In the first 19 days of the year, some 15,000 irregular migrants crossed the Darién Gap coming from Colombia —a daily average of 835
In 2023, Panama registered a record number of 520,805.
Figures from the National Immigration Service, as of Friday, January 19 show that 15,872 travelers had arrived at the immigration reception centers.
In January 2022, 4,702 migrants entered the country by land from Colombia, while in the same month of 2023, the figure rose to 24,634.
According to the report, on Friday, January 19, in the Darién shelters, there were 2,378 migrants, of which 519 were minors.
While Panama continues to coordinate efforts with neighboring countries such as Colombia and Costa Rica to control the migratory flow, the numbers reflect that Venezuelan citizens are the most making the dangerous journey.
Until Friday, 8,158 Venezuelan citizens had entered the country that is, more than half of the total. Haitians follow with 1,758 irregular travelers, Chinese 1,727 and Ecuadorians 1,031.
The governments of Panama and Colombia have a pending meeting to outline actions to prevent irregular migrants from becoming victims of organized crime.
