- It is estimated that between October 1 and 30, 21,542 migrants traveled through the Panamanian jungle
Venezuelan migrants who have crossed the dangerous Darien junglethe natural border between Panama and Colombia, on their journey towards North America totals 196,813 so far this year, reported the president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, on Thursday, October 31.
During his weekly press conference, the head of state cited the statistics of the National Migration Service (SNM)according to which the second nationality that crosses the jungle the most are Colombians with more than 16,000 so far this year, followed by Ecuadorians with more than 15,000, Chinese with more than 12,000, Haitians more than 11,000, and approximately other countries 31,000.
Given that from October 1 to 30 a total of 21,542 migrants arrived at the reception stations located in the province of Darién after traveling through the jungle, Mulino anticipated that the month will perhaps close a little lower than September, when they did so. 25,111 travelers.
According to official statistics, a total of 49,256 people crossed the jungle in October 2023, a year that closed with the unprecedented number of 520,085 migrants crossing the Darién, the vast majority Venezuelans.
So far in 2024, more than 281,000 travelers have crossed the jungle, according to Migration figures cited on October 31 by President Mulino.
Deportation policy
The head of state recalled that his government, together with that of the United States, has been implementing a program for the repatriation or deportation of migrants since July. Since then, at least 23 flights have been made, mainly to Colombia but also to Ecuador, China and India, in which some 800 people have been returned.
We hope to continue with these repatriation flights every week,” he stated.
Panama, Mulino added, has announced that any person who enters the country, foreigners, violating land, air or sea migration posts, will be fined an amount ranging between 1,000 and 5,000 dollars depending on the severity of the infraction.
This provision was established in Decree 194 published on October 25, which states that if the offender lacks the financial resources “their deportation will proceed.”
The norm also contemplates that the sanction must be adjusted taking into consideration the “conditions of vulnerability” in which the migrants who are part of the irregular flow and who enter Panama through the Darién through informal steps are found.
They will be fined $300 for the first time, $600 for the second, $900 for the third and one thousand for each of the following times, according to the decree.
Likewise, it points out that this fine must be paid by the irregular foreign citizen before leaving the territory for Costa Rica.
With information from EFE
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#thousand #Venezuelans #crossed #Darién #jungle
The provided content discusses a recent initiative by the Panamanian government, in collaboration with the United States, to facilitate the repatriation of migrants. This program has been operational since July and has resulted in a total of at least 23 flights that have deported around 800 individuals primarily to Colombia, but also to nations like Ecuador, China, and India.
1. **Repatriation Flights**: The aim is to continue these flights on a weekly basis, as highlighted by Panama’s head of state.
2. **Legal Changes**: A new decree emphasizes the consequences for foreigners who violate the country’s immigration laws, introducing fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 based on the infraction’s severity. If individuals cannot pay the fine, deportation will ensue.
3. **Conditions Considered**: The decree also specifies that penalties will take into account the vulnerability of migrants who enter Panama through irregular routes, particularly through the Darién, a challenging and dangerous migratory pathway.
The article includes images related to the topic and emphasizes the ongoing migration crisis, particularly affecting vulnerable populations.
