Arr, Panama be sendin' away more scurvy dogs as the treacherous Darien Gap be overflowin' with migrants!
2023-09-08
Avast ye scurvy landlubbers! The Panamanian scallywags be swearin' to bolster their infrastructure and be givin' a jolly ol' heave-ho to unwanted visitors through the treacherous Darien Gap on their Colombian frontiers! Arrr, 'tis a sight to behold, aye!
Panama is taking steps to address the increasing number of migrants passing through the Darien Gap, a jungle area along its shared border with Colombia. The National Immigration Authority Director, Samira Gozaine, announced that Panama will enhance its infrastructure in the region and increase deportations. President Laurentino Cortizo has authorized charter flights to facilitate deportations. So far this year, over 350,000 migrants have crossed the dangerous Darien Gap, surpassing last year's record of fewer than 250,000.Panama's Security Minister, Juan Pino, emphasized that the country has been managing the influx of migrants responsibly, preventing the streets from being overcrowded. However, the authorities acknowledge that they have reached their capacity limit. To further tackle the issue, Panama plans to conduct aerial patrols in the remote area to apprehend smugglers of migrants, drugs, and weapons.
To separate migrants from local communities, installations will be constructed in the border areas where migrants will be registered. Additionally, Panama will tighten entry requirements for some foreigners arriving by air. The maximum tourist stay will be reduced to 15 days from 90, and visitors will need to demonstrate that they have at least $1,000 available, instead of the current $500. These measures will not apply to all nationalities.
Venezuelans have accounted for more than half of the migrants entering Panama through the Darien Gap this year. Previously, Panama focused on transporting migrants by bus from its border with Colombia to its border with Costa Rica, facilitating their journey northward to the United States. In April, the United States, Panama, and Colombia committed to cracking down on smuggling rings involved in transporting migrants through the Darien Gap. The impact of these new measures on the flow of migrants and the response from Colombian officials are yet to be seen.