In 2024, approximately 216,000 migrants crossed the Darién Gap from Colombia to Panama, aiming for the United States. However, recent weeks have seen a notable decline in crossings, attributed to the new president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, who has implemented tighter controls and border closures following Venezuela's disputed election [628f6c4e].
Mulino's administration has closed six of the seven border crossings and increased sea patrols to manage the flow of migrants more effectively. This crackdown comes as the number of migrants arriving at the U.S. border has dropped significantly from a record 2.5 million in 2023 [628f6c4e]. The impact of the recent Venezuelan election on immigration patterns remains uncertain, but the situation has prompted the U.S. and Panama to initiate deportation flights back to Colombia as part of a partnership aimed at managing migration [628f6c4e].
A report by Human Rights Watch previously accused Panama and Colombia of failing to protect migrants crossing the Darién Gap, highlighting issues such as sexual abuse and missing persons cases. Both countries have denied these allegations and called for more international support to address the challenges faced by migrants [55826b6a].
Colombia's Foreign Minister, Gilberto Murillo, emphasized that Colombia has not abandoned the population in Darién and has made significant efforts to tackle the challenges posed by migration. Meanwhile, Panama's Foreign Minister, Janaina Tewaney, has sought recognition for the efforts made by both nations to protect migrants [55826b6a].
Pulitzer Prize-winning immigration reporter Caitlin Dickerson documented the harrowing experiences of migrants in her article 'Seventy Miles in the Darién Gap,' detailing the dangers they face, including hunger, violence, and sexual assault. She criticized U.S. immigration policies that inadvertently make migration more perilous [eeb6fb76].
Additionally, a report by the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, Siobhán Mullally, raised concerns about human rights violations in Colombia, particularly regarding trafficking and the role of non-State armed groups. The report underscored the need for continued support for Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Colombia, who number nearly 3 million [47c201e8].