CITY OF PANAMA.- The President of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino He anticipated a possible increase in the flow of Venezuelan migrants crossing the Darien jungle towards the United States, due to the electoral fraud perpetrated this Sunday, July 28, by the Nicolás Maduro regime in Venezuela.
So far, more than 200,000 people have crossed the Darien in 2024, with approximately 66% of them coming from Venezuela, according to official Panamanian statistics.
Mulino expressed his concern, noting that “Recent events in Venezuela could increase the number of migrants choosing this dangerous journey. It is imperative that we take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of these individuals and facilitate their transit to the United States.”
During the same press conference, the Panamanian president announced the withdrawal of Panamanian diplomatic personnel from Venezuela and the suspension of bilateral relations in response to the election results. The Venezuelan Electoral Commission has proclaimed Nicolás Maduro the winner of Sunday’s election, granting him a new six-year term, which has generated a wave of accusations of fraud.
The Darien jungle, located on the border with Colombia, has become a critical point for migrants seeking to reach the United States from South America. In 2023, more than 500,000 people faced the harsh conditions of this region, which include dangerous rivers, wildlife and the threat of criminal groups, according to reports from international organizations.
Despite recent agreements between Panama and the United States to finance migrant deportation and expulsion operations with six million dollars, Mulino clarified that the forced repatriation of migrants is not contemplated. Instead, the goal is to manage transit in a safe and humane manner.
Source: With information from AFP