Panama Escalates Measures in a Pre Existing Migration Crisis

Janvieve Williams Comrie

17 Jul 2024

Panama is tightening its border policy to stop migrants from entering the country by making the conditions of migrating through the Darién Gap even more dangerous and inhumane.

Originally published in AfroResistance.

Panama's government, under President José Raúl Molino, is taking drastic measures to curb the flow of migrants crossing from Colombia into Panama through the perilous Darién Gap. This strategy involves erecting barbed wire fences across critical jungle paths, effectively sealing off one of the most treacherous migration routes in Latin America.

The Darién Gap, a dense, lawless stretch of jungle, has long been a critical point for migrants making their way from South America to the United States. In the first half of 2024 alone, over 197,000 people have risked their lives traversing this dangerous terrain, facing threats from criminal organizations, wild animals, and hazardous landscapes. The majority of these migrants come from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and China. By blocking this route, the Panamanian government hopes to stem the tide of migration, but this policy raises serious humanitarian concerns.

The immediate impact of these new barriers is already evident. Migrants, unable to traverse their usual paths, are left with few alternatives. They might attempt to find other, equally perilous routes across the 260-kilometer border or risk crossing the sea, where encounters with the Panamanian Coast Guard could result in fatal consequences. This strategy not only heightens the dangers faced by migrants but also risks creating a bottleneck effect, trapping thousands in precarious conditions.

AfroResistance, an organization that has long been critical of Panama's approach to humanitarian and safety issues at the border, highlights the severe risks posed by these new measures. They report firsthand accounts from Black migrants in the United States who have endured the harrowing journey through the Darién Gap and faced inhumane, racist, and other types of mistreatment. These accounts underscore the critical need for policies that prioritize the safety and dignity of migrants.

Compounding the issue is the stalled bi-national effort between Panama and Colombia. Initially, the two nations had agreed to form a joint task force to address migration collaboratively. However, with Panama's unilateral decision to fortify its borders with barbed wire, this cooperative initiative has been put on hold.

In light of these developments, a delegation organized by AfroResistance will travel to Panama in October to assess the current situation and advocate for the rights of migrants. This delegation aims to bring international attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding at the border and to work towards more effective and humane solutions. For more information about this initiative, visit AfroResistance's travel page.

The new measures represent a significant shift in Panama's migration policy, prioritizing border security over humanitarian considerations. As the situation unfolds, it becomes increasingly crucial to monitor the repercussions on the migrant population and advocate for safer, more humane solutions to this complex issue.

For further details on Panama’s evolving migration policy, please refer to the original article on AfroResistance's website.

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