Panamanian border police reported a tragic incident on Wednesday, confirming that 10 migrants had drowned in a river near the country’s coastal border with Colombia. The migrants perished as a result of the river flooding, with their bodies discovered in the remote riverside community of Carreto. Located on the Caribbean Sea, the small village is part of the Guna Yala autonomous Indigenous territory. While SENAFRONT, the border police, did not disclose the nationalities of the deceased migrants, it remains unclear whether they had crossed into Panama through the treacherous Darien jungle or by boat. The statement issued by SENAFRONT highlighted the alarming trend of transnational organized crime using unauthorized crossings, often with the assistance of local collaborators, putting the lives of migrants at grave risk. The Darien Gap, a perilous stretch of jungle separating Colombia and Panama, has emerged as a pivotal corridor for migrants seeking to traverse overland from South America through Central America and Mexico towards the United States. Despite the inherent dangers posed by treacherous terrain and violent criminal gangs, over half a million undocumented migrants crossed the Darien last year, a majority of whom were Venezuelans, but also individuals from other South American countries and even as far away as China. In recent weeks, the Panamanian government has taken decisive action by closing several paths through the jungle and opening a “humanitarian corridor” in an effort to control the migrant flow and prevent them from becoming victims of criminal exploitation. However, the new measure has sparked controversy. Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his concern, arguing that such closures could inadvertently lead to more migrants attempting perilous maritime routes to Panama. This sentiment is rooted in the tragic incident where 10 migrants lost their lives. The recent election of Jose Raul Mulino as Panama’s new president has brought a renewed focus on migration policies. During his campaign, Mulino vowed to deport migrants and shut down the Darien route. Upon taking office on July 1st, the conservative lawyer reiterated his stance, declaring that Panama would no longer serve as a “transit” point for undocumented migrants. The United States has lent its support to the crackdown, pledging $6 million in funding for migrant repatriations from Panama, in an attempt to curb the flow of migrants at its own southern border. Nevertheless, Mulino appears to have softened his stance on forced repatriations, acknowledging that “We cannot forcibly repatriate” migrants. This nuanced approach reflects the complex nature of the issue and the delicate balance between border security and humanitarian concerns.
10 Migrants Drown in Panama River Amid Crackdown on Darien Crossing
