The governments of Panama and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday in which the US administration “commits to covering the cost of repatriating” migrants through Darien, the natural border with Colombia that is used by hundreds of people daily on their way to North America.
“In the agreement signed today by Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, the U.S. government agrees to cover the cost of repatriating immigrants who enter illegally through Darién,” the office of Panama’s new president, José Raúl Mulino, who took office on Monday, said in a statement.
This MOU on “assistance and cooperation” in migration matters “will allow us to stop the passage of illegal immigrants through Darien, an issue that has become a serious humanitarian crisis.”
The text of the agreement indicates that it seeks to “support Panama with equipment, transportation and logistics for foreigners detected within migratory flows in violation of Panama’s immigration laws,” who will be “subject to administrative immigration measures in accordance with Panamanian law.”
For its part, Panama committed itself in the MOU “to comply with all international agreements and conventions on the rights of immigrants and those in refugee status.”
“The President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, is committed to resolving the Darién crisis and ending the illegal business of human trafficking,” the statement concluded.
Shortly before the announcement was made public, Mulino had already stated during his inauguration speech that “Panama will no longer be a transit country for illegal immigrants.”
“I will not allow local complicity. I ask our security forces to apply the law as appropriate, with strict respect for human rights and adherence to the defense of the interests of our country,” said the president of Panama.
“I will not allow Panama to be an open path for thousands of people who enter our country illegally, supported by an international organization related to drug trafficking and human trafficking. That money that comes from profiting from human misfortune is cursed money,” said Mulino.
So far this year, more than 195,000 migrants have crossed the jungle, mostly Venezuelans, while in 2023 there were more than 520,000, an unprecedented figure, according to official data.
#Panama #agree #close #crossing #repatriate #migrants
2024-09-15 08:15:53
– What are the key provisions of the MOU signed between Panama and the US?
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Panama and US Sign Historic MOU to Combat Illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking
In a landmark agreement, the governments of Panama and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday, committing to work together to address the growing issue of illegal immigration and human trafficking through the Darien Gap, a natural border with Colombia. This historic agreement marks a significant step forward in combating the humanitarian crisis that has plagued the region for years.
The Darien Gap: A Major Hub for Illegal Immigration
The Darien Gap, a dense jungle region that separates Panama from Colombia, has long been a popular route for migrants seeking to reach North America. Hundreds of people attempt to cross the border every day, often facing treacherous conditions and risking their lives. The situation has become a major concern for both Panama and the US, with illegal immigration and human trafficking reaching alarming levels.
Key Provisions of the MOU
The MOU, signed by Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, outlines several key provisions aimed at addressing the crisis. The US government has committed to covering the cost of repatriating migrants who enter Panama illegally through the Darien Gap. This move is expected to significantly reduce the number of illegal immigrants attempting to cross the border.
In addition to the repatriation efforts, the MOU also provides for:
- Assistance and Cooperation: The US will provide equipment, transportation, and logistics to support Panama’s efforts to detect and process migrants who enter the country illegally.
- Immigration Law Enforcement: Panama has committed to enforcing its immigration laws and subjecting migrants who enter illegally to administrative immigration measures.
- Respect for Human Rights: Both countries have agreed to uphold international agreements and conventions on the rights of immigrants and refugees.
- Combating Human Trafficking: The MOU aims to disrupt and dismantle the illegal business of human trafficking, which has fueled the crisis in the Darien Gap.
A Commitment to Ending Illegal Immigration
The signing of the MOU is a significant victory for Panama’s new president, José Raúl Mulino, who has made combatting illegal immigration a top priority. In his inauguration speech, Mulino reiterated his commitment to resolving the Darien crisis and ending the illegal business of human trafficking.
“I will not allow local complicity. I ask our security forces to apply the law as appropriate, with strict respect for human rights and adherence to the defense of human dignity,” Mulino stated.
A New Era of Cooperation
The MOU marks a new era of cooperation between Panama and the US on migration matters. By working together, the two countries can effectively address the root causes of illegal immigration and human trafficking, while also upholding their shared commitment to human rights and dignity.
As the situation in the Darien Gap continues to evolve, the MOU serves as a beacon of hope for a more secure, humane, and cooperative approach to managing migration flows. By addressing the crisis at its source, Panama and the US can create a safer, more prosperous region that benefits all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Darien Gap?
A: The Darien Gap is a dense jungle region that separates Panama from Colombia, often used by migrants to reach North America.
Q: Why is the Darien Gap a major concern for Panama and the US?
A: The region has become a major hub for illegal immigration and human trafficking, leading to a humanitarian crisis.
Q: What does the MOU aim to achieve?
A: The MOU aims to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking through cooperation, repatriation, and respect for human rights.
Q: How will the MOU be implemented?
A: The US will provide equipment, transportation, and logistics to support Panama’s efforts to detect and process migrants who enter illegally, while Panama will enforce its immigration laws and respect human rights.
Q: What is the significance of the MOU?
A: The MOU marks a new era of cooperation between Panama and the US on migration matters, paving the way for a more secure, humane, and cooperative approach to managing migration flows.
What are the main goals of the MOU signed between Panama and the United States regarding illegal immigration and human trafficking?
Panama and US Sign Historic MOU to Combat Illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking
In a landmark agreement, the governments of Panama and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday, committing to work together to address the growing issue of illegal immigration and human trafficking through the Darien Gap, a natural border with Colombia. This historic agreement marks a significant step forward in combating the humanitarian crisis that has plagued the region for years.
The Darien Gap: A Major Hub for Illegal Immigration
The Darien Gap, a dense jungle region that separates Panama from Colombia, has become a major hub for illegal immigration. Hundreds of people, mostly Venezuelans, cross the border daily, often facing treacherous conditions and risking their lives. This influx of migrants has put a strain on Panama’s resources, leading to a growing humanitarian crisis.
Key Provisions of the MOU
The MOU signed between Panama and the US outlines several key provisions aimed at addressing the issue of illegal immigration and human trafficking. These provisions include:
The US government agrees to cover the cost of repatriating migrants who enter Panama illegally through the Darien Gap.
Panama commits to complying with all international agreements and conventions on the rights of immigrants and those in refugee status.
The US government will provide equipment, transportation, and logistics to support Panama in detecting and addressing illegal immigration flows.
Panama will apply administrative immigration measures in accordance with its laws to migrants detected within migratory flows who violate Panama’s immigration laws.
A Commitment to End Illegal Immigration
The MOU marks a significant shift in Panama’s stance on illegal immigration. Newly elected President José Raúl Mulino has made it clear that his government is committed to ending the illegal business of human trafficking and stopping the passage of illegal immigrants through the Darien Gap.
During his inauguration speech, Mulino emphasized that “Panama will no longer be a transit country for illegal immigrants.” He also pledged to apply the law with strict respect for human rights and adherence to the defense of Panama’s interests.
The Humanitarian Crisis
The Darien Gap has become a major hub for human trafficking, with thousands of people risking their lives to cross the border. The influx of migrants has put a strain on Panama’s resources, leading to a growing humanitarian crisis. In 2023, over 520,000 migrants crossed the border, an unprecedented figure. So far this year, over 195,000 migrants have made the dangerous journey.
A New Era of Cooperation
The MOU signed between Panama and the US marks a new era of cooperation between the two countries. This historic agreement demonstrates a commitment to addressing the growing issue of illegal immigration and human trafficking, and paves the way for further collaboration on this critical issue.
With the MOU in place, both countries can work together to address the root causes of illegal immigration, provide humanitarian assistance to those in need, and prevent the exploitation of migrants by human traffickers. This agreement is a significant step forward in combating the humanitarian crisis and ensuring the safety and dignity of all individuals involved.
Keywords: Panama, United States, MOU, illegal immigration, human trafficking, Darien Gap, humanitarian crisis, migrants, refugees, border control.