Panama President Addresses Migrant Crisis Through Darien Gap

Panamanian President-elect Jose Raul Mulino speaks with a Venezuelan migrant, left, and other migrants at a camp after they walked across the Darien Gap from Colombia, in Lajas Blancas, Panama,

In a recent press conference, Panama's President discussed the ongoing challenges posed by migrants crossing the treacherous Darien Gap. President José Raúl Mulino emphasized that migrants entering Panama will only be sent back to their countries if they agree to do so, highlighting a shift in immigration enforcement policies.

President Mulino acknowledged the significant number of migrants crossing the Darien Gap, with over 500,000 migrants making the journey in 2023. While more than 212,000 migrants have crossed so far this year, there has been a slight decrease compared to the same period last year.