Panama is offered to the United States as a bridge to deport migrants from other countries

Panamanian President, José Raúl Mulinooffered this Sunday to the head of American diplomacy, Marco Rubioexpand a migratory agreement for the United States to use Panama to deport migrants in an irregular situation from other countries.

“I have offered him the area of ​​Nicanor’s track (aerial) in Metetí, (province of) Darien “Mulino said at a press conference after meeting with Rubio.

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USA y Panama They signed on July 1, 2024, on the first day of the government of Mulino, an agreement through which Washington promised to finance the flights used by the Panamanian authorities to deport the migrants who crossed their border without up to 6 million dollars without 6 million dollars without Documents.

The objective was to stop migration for the inhospitable jungle of Darién, on the border with Colombia. That jungle has become a corridor for migrants who from South America try to reach the United States.

According to Mulino, the extension of the agreement will now allow migrants who are deported by the United States arrive in Panama and from a small track located in the town of Metetí (this) are distributed to their countries.

“I think that is going to be, to use Panama and from here transfer. That is very convenient for us, sincerely,” Mulino said.

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According to the president, the United States could run with the necessary expenses to adapt the facilities from which migrants would be dispatched.

“We can do that without any problem under the total cost of the United States. Panama will not invest a dollar in that,” said the ruler.

In 2024, some 300,000 migrants passed through the jungle of

Rumbo to the United States, a figure much below half a million people who made that tour in 2023.

So far this year, just over 2,000 people have crossed the Darién, 94% less than the same 2023 period, when more than 34,000 people crossed the jungle where organized crime bands operate.

The majority of migrants are Venezuelans, although Colombians, Ecuadorians, Chinese and Haitians also stand out. Mulino also highlighted the presence of people from Iran, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

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