The arrival of a flight from Panama To Medellin, Colombia This Tuesday began the deportation of migrants who Darien JungleThis campaign is funded by the US government as part of a strategy to curb migration into its territory.

According to the Panamanian authorities, this flight marks the beginning of a new strategy of the government of José Raul Mulino to reduce the massive influx of migrants who are Darien with the USA as the final destination, reported El Pais.

Humanitarian crisis on the border between Colombia and Panama

On the border between Colombia And PanamaThe flow of refugees has developed into a humanitarian crisis. Thousands of people of different nationalities risk their lives crossing the dangerous Darién jungle, a route that has become increasingly popular in recent years.

Cubans have played a crucial role in the massive crossings of the once impregnable Darién route, which have reached record numbers in recent years. In 2021, more than 130,000 migrants, mostly Haitians and Cubans, crossed the dangerous jungle. That number rose to 250,000 in 2022, due to a significant increase in Venezuelan and Ecuadorian migrants.

Last year, more than half a million migrants attempted this route, with Venezuelans According to Panamanian data, they account for up to 60% of the total.

Bilateral agreement and regional impact

The Panamanian government stepped up its anti-migration measures just months before the US presidential election, concluding a bilateral agreement that allows Panama to deport all migrants who enter the country illegally. This agreement, concluded shortly after Mulino took power less than two months ago, has significant regional implications, particularly with regard to the Venezuelan migration crisis and human trafficking in the region.

The agreement between Panama and the US This also includes funding for deportations by Washington, with an initial commitment of six million dollars.

Mulino’s government remains committed to “closing” Darién National Park, a promise he made during the election campaign and which is now being implemented with the support of the United States and other countries.

Panama’s decision last July is considered a precedent National Border Service (Senafront) At least three border crossings have been closed, commonly used by migrants traveling through the dangerous Darién jungle to Colombia and ultimately to the United States.

In a statement, the Panamanian government announced that “measures have been taken to control the massive irregular migration facing the Panamanian state” in order to “channel” irregular migration Lower Chiquitothe first village the migrants reach after crossing the Darién jungle on foot, as reported DW.

By June 2024, just over 400 Cubans had crossed the Darién jungle, according to the National Migration Service of Panama. The Controlled migrant flowsdeveloped by this organization, recorded a transit of about 174,513 people through this dangerous border crossing from January 1 to June 6, 2024. Among them, only 402 were Cubans, which represents a drastic decrease in migrants from the island compared to previous years. In March 2023 alone, 220 Cubans passed through this region, an already reduced number.