Current:Home > ScamsPanama eyes new measures as flow of migrants through Darien Gap hits 300,000 so far this year -Wealth Momentum Network
Panama eyes new measures as flow of migrants through Darien Gap hits 300,000 so far this year
View
Date:2025-04-18 14:07:06
PANAMA CITY (AP) — The government of Panama said Thursday it will launch a new campaign to stem the flow of migrants through the dangerous, jungle-clad Darien Gap, after crossings hit 300,000 so far this year.
In comparison, less than 250,000 migrants crossed in all of 2022.
The plan, named “Darien is a jungle, not a road,” will be launched next week, officials said, but they could barely hide their frustration with neighboring Colombia’s inability to stop migrants from coming to the two countries’ roadless border.
“Despite all the efforts, meetings with other countries involved have not managed to stop (the flow of migrants),” Panama’s Security Minister Juan Manuel Pino told a news conference.
Officials said the massive trekking of migrants through the gap — now running between 2,500 and 3,000 per day — has polluted and damaged the jungle, as well as exposed people to risks and rights abuses.
Samira Gozaine, Panama’s top immigration official, said “don’t tell me the border can’t be closed,” adding “it is possible, though it would take action.”
In April, the United States, Panama and Colombia agreed to try to crack down on the smuggling rings that bring migrants through the gap.
But earlier this month, Gozaine said there has been a lack of information sharing and joint action on the part of Colombia.
“Instead of getting better, it has gotten worse, in spite of the negotiations with Colombia,” Gozaine said. “There has been no agreement, no information sharing, nor any effort that might help Panama manage the unregulated flow, which has grown considerably in recent days.”
“Unfortunately, we have not been able to reach any agreement with Colombia, which continues to indiscriminately send us not only people from other countries, but Colombians as well,” she added.
There was no immediate reaction from the Colombian government.
The United Nations projected that if the pace keeps up, as many as 400,000 may cross the gap by the year’s end.
Migrants from South America — mainly Venezuelans — use the Darien Gap to travel by land through Central America and head on to the U.S. southwestern border. But a growing number of people from other places, including Africa and Asia, travel to South America to use the gap as well.
____
Follow AP’s global migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
veryGood! (59)
Related
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Family sues Georgia doctor after baby was decapitated during delivery, lawsuit alleges
- Stock market today: Global shares mostly rise as markets brace for US inflation report
- Officials suspect Rachel Morin died in 'violent homicide' after she went missing on Maryland trail
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- A Taylor Swift fan saw the Eras Tour from her Southwest flight – sort of
- Robbie Robertson, The Band's lead guitarist and primary songwriter, dies at 80
- Six takeaways from Disney's quarterly earnings call
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Malika Andrews to replace Mike Greenberg as ESPN’s NBA Finals host, per report
Ranking
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- People rush for safety as Hawaii wildfires burn, rising COVID-19 rates: 5 Things podcast
- Unlikely friends: 2 great white sharks traveling together shock researchers
- GOP donor Anton Lazzaro sentenced to 21 years for sex trafficking minors in Minnesota
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Inside Russia's attempts to hack Ukrainian military operations
- Hilary Swank Proves She’s Living Her Best “Cool Mom” Life With Glimpse Inside Birthday Celebration
- MBA 5: Tech and the innovator's dilemma
Recommendation
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
Man dies of heat stroke in Utah's Arches National Park while on a trip to spread his father's ashes, family says
Mega Millions winner? The best way to take your payout if you're worried about taxes.
These rescue dogs fell sick with rare pneumonia in Oregon. TikTokers helped pay the bill.
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
Emmy Awards rescheduled to January 15 due to Hollywood strikes
Taylor Swift Reveals Release Date and First Look at 1989 (Taylor's Version)
Karlie Kloss Attends Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Despite Rumored Rift