Costa Rica and Panama are coordinating efforts to facilitate the transit of southbound migrants returning from the U.S. due to immigration policies. Security ministers from both countries announced plans to organize transport and protect migrants from traffickers. As they navigate migration routes, individuals face various challenges, including scrutiny from authorities and harsh conditions for those detained.
Costa Rica and Panama are collaborating to facilitate the transit of migrants traveling southbound through their territories, following a trend that has emerged as individuals are turning back from the United States due to stricter immigration policies implemented by the Trump administration. This shift was addressed during a meeting between the security ministers of both nations in Peñas Blancas, Costa Rica.
The ministers discussed the establishment of organized transportation for migrants, focusing on Colombian, Venezuelan, and Ecuadorian nationals who are returning to their home countries. The initiative aims not only to streamline the transit process but also to mitigate the risks posed by human traffickers. Migrants who enter Costa Rica will be transported to government facilities and subsequently taken to Panama’s Darien province for onward travel to Colombia.
Recent reports indicate that small groups of migrants are arriving in Costa Rica from Nicaragua, where they are clearing immigration processes before boarding buses destined southward. Additionally, some migrants have opted to utilize boat transport from Panamanian ports to reach the Panama-Colombia border, thus avoiding the hazardous land journey through the Darien Gap.
While some migrants have expressed the need for safer transportation alternatives, such as air travel, others continue to take calculated risks. Reports have emerged that southbound migrants are facing scrutiny from authorities as they navigate through Costa Rica and Panama. As part of this migration dynamic, both countries have agreed to receive several hundreds of deported migrants, predominantly from Asian nations, thus adding complexity to the situation.
In summary, Costa Rica and Panama are proactively establishing coordinated measures to address the increase in southbound migration, which is a direct response to America’s stricter immigration policies. By organizing transportation and seeking to protect migrants from exploitation, the two nations are working together to ensure safer transit for those returning home. Nevertheless, challenges remain, particularly regarding the conditions faced by migrants and detained individuals.
Original Source: apnews.com
