Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino has appealed to President-elect Donald Trump to maintain U.S. financial aid for deporting migrants. Since July, the U.S. has contributed $1 million for the deportation of over 1,000 migrants who attempted to cross the Darien jungle. Mulino has organized multiple deportation flights but has not deported Venezuelans due to a landing ban. Approximately 300,000 migrants have crossed the Darien this year, reflecting a decrease in numbers attributed to these flights, while the Trump administration considers deportations to various countries.
In a recent appeal to President-elect Donald Trump, Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino requested that the United States continue its financial support for efforts to deport migrants traveling to the U.S. From July onward, the U.S. has contributed $1 million for the deportation of over 1,000 migrants making the perilous journey through the Darien jungle from Colombia into Panama. President Mulino, who assumed office in May with a commitment to curtail migrant transit, emphasized the necessity of sustaining this aid under the upcoming Trump administration.
The Panamanian government has instituted approximately 30 deportation flights targeting destinations such as Colombia, Ecuador, and India. However, deportation efforts have excluded Venezuelan migrants, who constitute a significant portion of those traversing the jungle, due to a ban preventing Panamanian aircraft from landing in Venezuela. This prohibition was enacted by the Venezuelan government following criticisms from several Latin American nations regarding President Nicolas Maduro’s contentious re-election.
The Darien jungle remains a crucial and treacherous corridor utilized by South American migrants seeking passage to the United States through Central America. In 2023, over half a million migrants faced the daunting challenges posed by the jungle, including treacherous waters, wild animals, and threats from criminal organizations. As of this year, near 300,000 individuals have been reported as having crossed the Darien area, indicating a 41 percent decrease compared to the previous year—a decline attributed by Mulino to the increased frequency of deportation flights.
With the approach of Trump’s inauguration, which will take place on January 20, there have been indications from his transition team regarding potential deportation initiatives targeting undocumented migrants in various countries, including Panama. Nonetheless, the Panamanian government has reiterated its position of accepting only its own detained citizens.
The ongoing migrant crisis has drawn significant international attention, particularly in Central America where many individuals embark on treacherous journeys toward the United States. Panama plays a pivotal role in this transit as migrants from South America often traverse the perilous Darien jungle. The issue of deportation and migrant care has captured the interest of U.S. policymakers, particularly as the new administration prepares to implement stringent immigration policies. Aid from the U.S. has been instrumental in funding deportation efforts, highlighting the collaborative approach necessary to address regional migration issues. The complex relationship between the U.S., Panama, and migrant nations like Venezuela adds layers to this multifaceted crisis, underscoring the urgent need for coherent policies and international cooperation.
In summary, President Jose Raul Mulino of Panama has urged the continuation of U.S. aid for migrant deportation as a key component of their immigration strategy. The ongoing trials faced by migrants crossing the Darien jungle and the challenges of cooperation with neighboring countries such as Venezuela illustrate the intricate dynamics at play. As the Trump administration prepares to implement its immigration policies, the focus on international support and cooperation will be paramount in addressing the ongoing crisis.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
