The Biden administration’s deportation flights funded by the US were supposed to help Panama repatriate undocumented migrants caught crossing the perilous Darien Gap on their way to the United States. However, Panama’s President recently revealed that these flights are voluntary and not compulsory. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of this strategy in curbing the surge of migrants attempting to cross into the US through Mexico.
In a deal signed earlier this month, the US agreed to cover the expenses related to repatriating the undocumented migrants caught on Panamanian soil by President José Raúl Mulino. This came after he vowed to shut down the dangerous stretch of jungle in Darien Gap, which is often referred to as a “superhighway” for asylum seekers attempting to reach America.
However, weeks later, President Mulino clarified that migrants must agree to be deported and called this issue a “United States problem.” He stated that people do not want to live in Panama; they are more interested in going to the United States. Those who choose not to take the deportation flights will be allowed to continue their journey towards the US border.
I can’t arrest them, we can’t forcibly repatriate them,” President Mulino explained. Former border chiefs argue that this deal will do nothing to reduce the number of migrants making their way to the US-Mexico border and that Panama is capitalizing on the Biden administration’s funding for deportation flights.
According to the Associated Press, over 212,000 people, mostly from Venezuela, have already crossed the region in 2024 alone. President Mulino acknowledged this trend, stating, “Practically all of Venezuela is walking through there every day.
Former border chief Chris Clem emphasizes the need for a more proactive approach by the Biden administration to tackle the issue of undocumented migration at its source. He suggests that the US should not rely on other countries to enforce its border policies and instead focus on strengthening its own measures.
Since President Mulino took office, 11,363 migrants have crossed Panama’s border, which is approximately 9,000 fewer than during the same period last year. This decline can be attributed to his vow to shut down the Darien Gap to undocumented migration.
The recent deal between Panama and the US has emerged amid increasing concern from American officials about the rise of a violent Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, which has been operating in major metropolitan areas in the United States, such as New York City. It is believed that members of this gang are smuggling weapons into city-run migrant shelters.
