No decrease in Darien migrant flow

The Security Minister, Juan Manuel Pino , confirmed that so far there has not been a decrease in the entry of migrants into the national territory, despite the new regulations implemented by the United States that restrict the entry of undocumented immigrants at its borders. On May 18 more than 1,300 migrants entered Panama through the Darien jungle and so far this year more than 150,000 have been counted.

Pino pointed out that with the entry into force of “Title 8” in the United States, the entry of migrants crossing the Darien jungle bound for North America should decrease and he hopes that in the coming days this new regulation, more restrictive than the previous one [ Title 42], take effect in the region, especially in Panama, which has been impacted by the migration crisis experienced in 2022 when more than a quarter of a million people entered the country through the dangerous and inhospitable jungle of the Darién.

He said that the national government is doing its part regarding the safe transfer of these migrants through the national territory to the border with Costa Rica. However, up to now there is no evidence to confirm that there is a drop in the impact in terms of the number of foreigners who continue to enter the country.