The US, Colombia and Panama coordinate to address the migration crisis in Darién

USA, Colombia and Panama “coordinate efforts” to address the migration crisis in the dangerous jungle of the Darienwho are crossing hundreds of thousands of people on their irregular journey to North AmericaThe Panamanian and US governments reported this Tuesday.

For this, the United States ambassador in Panama, Mari Carmen Aponte, the Panamanian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Public Security, Janaina Tewaney and Juan Pino; and of Foreign and Defense of Colombia, Álvaro Leyva and Iván Velásquez, respectively, met this Tuesday in the town of Apartadó (Colombia) and toured the binational base of Alto Limón.

The 266-kilometer Darien Gap is the natural border between Panama and Colombia. According to official Panamanian figures, in 2022, 248,284 irregular travelers crossed the jungle on their journey to the United States, an unparalleled figure that demonstrates the migratory and humanitarian crisis that the region is experiencing, since these flows cross several countries in South and Central America.

And so far in 2023, 31,000 migrants have crossed the thick jungle, almost the same number as in the first five months of 2022 (33,819), according to Panamanian information.

“As a result” from the meeting this Tuesday “A road map was identified, guided by the principles of the protection of human rights and the environment, and seeking to guarantee the human security of migrants who cross the Darién National Park”said a Joint Declaration released by the Ministry of Public Security of Panama.

The purpose of this meeting is “coordinate efforts to safeguard the lives of migrants who cross the Darién” and “dismantle criminal organizations that control human trafficking networks”also said a statement from the United States Embassy in Panama.

In addition to “combating misinformation about the supposed benefits of undertaking the perilous journey, and mitigating the impact migration has on the environment and host communities,” added.

Between actions and commitments “concrete” reached are “initiate dialogues between immigration authorities (…) of Panama and Colombia; dialogue with the countries of origin of the migrants and strengthen the exchange of judicial information; and strengthen intelligence work with the support of cooperation from the United States”among others, indicated the Joint Declaration.

“I hope that we can continue to coordinate actions with the Governments of Panama and Colombia to protect the lives of those who undertake this dangerous journey and that we can guarantee a safe, orderly and humane migration”affirmed Ambassador Aponte, after noting that the “It is one of the great challenges of the region and as such, it requires coordinated solutions between our countries”.

The US Embassy indicated that in 2022, the Government of Joe Biden “invested some US$ 18 million to finance humanitarian assistance projects from international and non-governmental organizations to care for migrants on the Darién border”.

Panama receives migrants at immigration reception stations (ERM) located on its southern (Colombia) and northern (Costa Rica) borders, where it takes their biometric data and offers them health care and food, a unique operation in the region in which which has invested at least US$50 million since 2020, according to official figures.

(With information from EFE)