More than 300,000 migrants crossed the Darién Forest Gap in 2024, marking a 42% decrease from the record 520,085 who undertook the perilous journey the previous year, according to Panama’s National Migration Service.
The decrease comes amid stricter immigration measures implemented by Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, whose administration has prioritized immigration control. The Mulino administration faced intense pressure from the United States, which demanded measures to reduce passage through the dangerous Darién Forest.
Thousands of immigrants use this jungle to reach Mexico before attempting to cross the border into the United States. The Darién Gap, a dense jungle linking Colombia and Panama, has become a dangerous but essential route for migrants seeking to reach the United States.
The region’s difficulties, ranging from natural hazards like floods and wild animals to human threats such as smugglers and criminal gangs, have made it an infamous segment of the migratory route.
Despite these dangers, Venezuelans accounted for 69% of migrants in 2024, mainly due to the economic collapse and political instability in their home country. Haitian immigrants are also numerous, using the Darién route in search of a better life in the United States.
Since taking office in July 2024, President Mulino has implemented policies to stem illegal crossings, including building barbed wire fences along parts of the Darién and imposing financial penalties for unauthorized entry.
In addition, his administration has arranged with the United States to finance flights to deport immigrants to their countries of origin.
In a speech to legislators, Mr. Mulino highlighted the government’s efforts, stating: “We work every day to ensure that illegal immigration does not reach Panama City or the rest of the country.” To date, Panama has deported 1,548 migrants under agreements with the United States, according to NBC News.
Despite these measures, Panamanian migration authorities revealed that 209,000 Venezuelans who crossed the Darién Forest last year were allowed to continue their journey north.
This exception stems from the suspension of direct flights between Panama and Venezuela, a decision made after Venezuela’s disputed election in July 2024.
Although the drop in the number of crossings is notable, analysts warn that these measures may not succeed in the long term.
Critics argue that these policies fail to address the root causes of migration, such as economic instability, political oppression, and violence in migrants’ countries of origin. Furthermore, they suggest that stricter border controls could drive migrants to take even more dangerous and unregulated routes, exacerbating the risks they face.
The Darién Gap continues to symbolize broader migration challenges in the Americas, where desperate individuals embark on perilous journeys in search of safety and opportunity. Many Venezuelans, fleeing years of economic decline in what was once a prosperous oil-rich nation, remain undeterred by the physical and bureaucratic obstacles they encounter. Nicaraguans, Cubans, Haitians, and citizens of other countries also take this route, aiming to find refuge in the United States.
Many immigrants have been unable to achieve this goal. Some are attacked by wild animals, murdered by gangs, or intercepted by regional authorities and deported back to their respective countries of origin. Those fortunate enough to reach the U.S. are often deported en masse by the U.S. government, which has also accepted and “paroled” some immigrants.
CTN produced a special segment in 2021 featuring immigrants in El Paso, Texas, who made the perilous journey from Brazil or Chile to the U.S. via the Darién route.
Experts emphasize that it is insufficient to approach migration solely from a law enforcement perspective. The factors driving migration—poverty, conflict, and systemic inequality—require concerted solutions involving not just Panama but the entire region. Leaders and organizations in the region are urged to prioritize long-term strategies that address the root causes of displacement while ensuring the safety and dignity of migrants.
While the Darién Gap remains a focal point of migration in the Americas, the stories of those who cross it bear witness to the broader human struggles behind the statistics. It also highlights the urgent need for global approaches to a problem that continues to challenge nations and test international solidarity.
Credit: This article is based on information from Reuters, published by NBC News on January 3, 2025.