Darién Migrant Crossings Crash 94% as Panama and U.S. Tighten Controls

Panama’s National Migration Service (SNM) reported a historic 94% drop in irregular migrant entries through the Darién Gap in January 2025, with only 2,158 crossings compared to 34,839 during the same period in 2024.

President José Raúl Mulino’s administration credits aggressive border policies and US-funded repatriation flights for reducing the crisis. In 2023, over 520,000 migrants traversed the jungle.

Panama deployed 3-meter barbed-wire fences to seal unauthorized routes, funneling migrants into a single monitored corridor in Lajas Blancas. Authorities imposed fines for illegal entry and reduced tourist visas from 90 to 15 days, deterring overstays.

The US-backed deportation program, active since August 2024, has removed 1,886 migrants on 44 flights. In February alone, 32 men and 11 women were returned to Colombia, including seven with criminal records linked to drug trafficking and assault.

The SNM noted Venezuelans comprised 55% of 2024’s 302,203 crossings, followed by Colombians, Ecuadorians, and Indians. Despite the steep decline, risks persist.

In 2024, 55 migrant deaths occurred, with injuries, sexual violence, and exploitation by groups like the Clan del Golfo remaining systemic. MSF reported a sevenfold spike in sexual assault cases, while 30% of migrants sustained injuries during the trek.

U.S.-Panama Ties Strengthen Amid Migration

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced collaboration during a February visit, announcing nearly $2.7 million for repatriation efforts. Panama also halted renewal of China’s Belt and Road Initiative agreements amid Trump’s threats to “reclaim” the Panama Canal, citing concerns over Beijing’s influence.

Critics argue that deterrence measures like biometric tracking and razor-wire barriers risk exacerbating migrant vulnerabilities. They contend that these measures fail to address root causes like Venezuela’s economic collapse.

Mulino’s policies now pivot to expanding repatriation infrastructure, including a proposed hub at Darién’s Nicanor airstrip. While Panama hails the drop as a security victory, the path ahead balances enforcement with unresolved humanitarian challenges in one of the world’s most volatile migration corridors.

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