Official statistics in Panama show that from January to September, just over 400,000 people traveled through Darién National Park on their way to the United States.
Panama, in turn, launched the campaign “Darién is not a route, it is a jungle.” (Photo: PL).
The meeting in the Darién jungle between the Presidents of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo; and his partner Rodrigo Chaves will be another attempt to stem the growing flow of irregular migrants into the United States.
Chaves arrived at Marcos A. Gelabert Airport in Panama City the day before for an official visit and, according to the agenda, will travel with Cortizo this morning to the border area with Colombia, where they will fly over the points where thousands of people enter daily. Travelers from South America.
Both leaders will first hold a private meeting and then chair the binational meeting of their cabinets in the city of Lajas Blancas, where a Migration Reception Station (ERM) and the Eastern Brigade of the National Border Service (Senafront) are located, Prensa Latina learned. .
The host delegation also includes Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney; the Minister of Security, Juan Manuel Pino; the government, Roger Tejada; and Environment, Milciades Concepción; and the Director of the National Immigration Service, Samira Gozaine.
It also consists of the director of Senafront, Jorge Gobea; and the head of the National Aviation Service, Eliécer Cárdenas.
For his part, Chaves will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Arnoldo André Tinoco; the head of security, Mario Zamora; and the Minister of Communications Jorge Rodríguez; and the Costa Rican Ambassador to the Isthmus, Ingrid Picado.
In early September last year, the foreign and security ministers of both countries met in a bilateral meeting and agreed to take measures against the growing wave of migration hitting both countries on the way to North America.
The parties have expressed genuine concern about the challenges posed by this migration and, with it, the increase in organized crime and the scourge of human trafficking, with sustained bilateral contacts being crucial in this scenario, indicating a diplomatic touch .
The dangers of irregular migration and the presence of a significant number of minors in this flow are a problem that Panama has repeatedly made clear due to the risks that thousands of people face in their transit through the Darién National Park.
Official statistics in Panama show that just over 400,000 people traveled through Darién National Park toward the United States from January to September, and half a million trekkers, mostly Venezuelans, Ecuadorians and Haitians, could reach by the end of 2023, although also citizens Asian nations are registered.
Recently, Chaves signed a decree declaring the irregular migration crisis a national emergency, allowing administrative, operational and economic measures to be taken and work with more agile procedures to support the work of institutions related to the protection of families , which they already have, can be found at the borders.
For its part, Panama launched the “Darién is not a route, it is a jungle” campaign, announcing measures such as an increase in deportations, changes to reception centers in indigenous communities and stricter controls at airports and other formal routes of entry to the country. Country.
Both leaders are committed to ensuring controlled and safe migration, but need international support and shared responsibility between issuing, transit and destination countries.
