PANAMA CITY (Reuters) – Panama’s migration authorities informed Reuters on Thursday that over 300,000 migrants made the treacherous journey across the Darien Gap and into Panama in 2024. This number represents a 42% decrease from the record-breaking figure of migrants who undertook the perilous jungle crossing from South America the previous year.
The Darien Gap, a hazardous stretch of land that links Colombia with Panama, has seen a surge in the number of migrants traversing it to reach the United States. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, who assumed office in July, has adopted a more stringent approach towards migration, implementing measures such as fencing sections of the Darien with barbed wire, imposing fines, and utilizing US-funded flights for deporting migrants.
According to officials from Panama’s National Migration Service, a total of 302,203 individuals crossed the Darien in 2024, marking a significant decline from the record high of 520,085 in 2023. A notable 69% of the migrants who made the journey in 2024 were identified as Venezuelans, many of whom are fleeing the prolonged economic crisis in their home country.
President Mulino, addressing lawmakers, emphasized the government’s commitment to preventing illegal migration from reaching Panama City and other parts of the nation. He highlighted that 1,548 migrants were deported last year through flights organized under an agreement with the United States. However, despite the efforts, approximately 209,000 Venezuelans who crossed the Darien in 2024 were allowed to proceed with their journey as direct flights between Panama and Venezuela were suspended following the controversial July election in Venezuela.
While the measures implemented by Panama aim to curb the influx of migrants, analysts caution that the approach may not address the underlying causes of migration and could potentially exacerbate the risks faced by those undertaking the journey.
Elida Moreno reporting; Written by Sarah Morland; Edited by Rod Nickel.
