Jose Raul Mulino, Panama’s new president, has taken office with a focus on addressing irregular migration through the Darien Gap, a lawless border connecting Panama with Colombia. Mulino has vowed to shut down migration through this corridor, which saw over half a million people pass through last year, with most migrants coming from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and China.
The US government has pledged to cover the costs of repatriating migrants who enter Panama illegally through the Darien, providing assistance with deportation flights. Mulino has indicated that his administration will actively work to stop and deport migrants, representing a major policy shift from the previous administration which facilitated the quick and orderly passage of migrants through the country to the Costa Rican border.
Mulino faces the challenge of managing Panama’s key trade route, the Panama Canal, as well as addressing a budget deficit caused by the cancellation of a major mining concession after protests. He has also pledged to focus on youth employment, infrastructure development, and poverty reduction in Panama.
As Mulino seeks to implement his immigration policies, he may face opposition from various groups and interests. Strengthening enforcement efforts could potentially reduce the number of migrants reaching the US border, but it may also lead to the establishment of riskier routes and benefit smugglers. Despite these challenges, Mulino is deeply committed to his goal of ending irregular immigration through the Darien Gap, and the US government has expressed support for his efforts by assisting with deportation costs.
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