Panama’s new President, José Raúl Mulino, assumed office with a bold promise to close the Darién Gap, a notorious 70-mile stretch of roadless jungle through which at least 1.5 million migrants have travelled since 2021. This treacherous route is crucial for South American migrants heading north to the United States.
The Panamanian government secured a commitment from the Biden-Harris administration for financial support and potential planes to help deport migrants. However, the promised aid has not been received, causing migrants to begin returning through the Darién Gap.
A senior Panamanian government official said they are ready to fulfil their part of the agreement but lack the resources to manage many migrants. The official suggested that the delay may be politically motivated and emphasized the urgency of the situation, especially with a new wave of Venezuelan migrants.
Panama aims to increase the deportation of Venezuelans back to Colombia but emphasized the need for international support. President Mulino expressed concerns during a press conference, stating that the Biden-Harris administration needs to follow through. The delay in U.S. support is seen as a missed opportunity to address a significant factor contributing to the migration crisis.
The Biden-Harris administration had collaborated with the previous Panamanian government to facilitate travel through the Darién Gap, which led to a rise in migrant movement. This involved creating a shorter sea and river route, expanding resting areas, and coordinating support from international organizations.
This led to a dramatic rise in migration, with the number of people crossing through the gap escalating from fewer than 20,000 annually before the current administration to an expected 800,000 by the end of 2024.
With the U.S. election approaching, Biden has urged Mexico to reduce the record number of border crossings, slightly alleviating the situation. However, the delay in fulfilling Panama’s request raises questions about the administration’s commitment to long-term solutions.
If Kamala Harris wins the upcoming election, she may avoid implementing the deportation commitments to Panama, which could allow the Darién Gap to remain a major migration route.
Todd Bensman, a senior national security fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies and author of “Verrun: How Joe Biden Unleashed the Greatest Border Crisis in U.S. History,” suggests that the administration may be influenced by electoral considerations rather than a genuine intention to address the migration crisis.
