Panama's President Calls for Strengthened Cooperation with the U.S. to Curb Illegal Immigration
Panama's President Mulino recently stated in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that the issue of illegal immigration in the United States is closely linked with Panama's Darien Gap. He called on President-elect Trump's administration to further cooperate with Panama to jointly curb the tide of illegal immigration. He emphasized that this issue not only affects U.S. border security but also poses significant challenges to Panama itself.
Darien Gap Becomes a Passage for Illegal Immigration, Problem Intensifying
The Darien Gap is a tropical rainforest region connecting South America and Central America, with complex terrain, and is considered one of the key routes for illegal immigration to the United States. Mulino pointed out that although this region is far from the U.S. border, it is a critical link in the U.S. immigration issue. He stated, "We hope that the Trump administration understands that the U.S. border is effectively here, at the Darien Gap, which is the frontline of this problem."
According to data from Panama’s immigration authority, approximately 283,000 illegal immigrants have entered Panama through the Darien Gap since early 2024, with the majority being Venezuelan citizens, followed by immigrants from Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, and even China. Mulino emphasized that although the number of illegal immigrants has declined in 2024, this trend is not stable and may rebound in the future.
Venezuela's Issues Drive the Immigration Surge
Mulino believes that the political and economic crisis in Venezuela is one of the main sources of the illegal immigration problem. "As long as the situation in Venezuela does not fundamentally improve, the issue of illegal immigration will not cease," he noted, stressing that this phenomenon imposes continuous pressure not only on the U.S. but also on Panama.
Panama and the United States launched joint actions in August 2024, flying weekly flights to repatriate illegal immigrants to their countries of origin. These flights are managed by the Panamanian government to alleviate the strain on national resources while reducing the pressure of illegal immigration heading towards North America.
Regional Cooperation is Key to Solving Immigration Issues
In the interview, Mulino made it clear that he hopes for a long-term and productive cooperation with the U.S. to tackle the issue of illegal immigration. He emphasized, "Immigration issues should be resolved fairly in a way that benefits both the U.S. and Panama. We hope to work hand-in-hand with our North American partners to face this challenge."
He also called on the U.S. and the international community to focus on the root causes of immigration issues, such as Venezuela's economic and political crises, and to provide more aid to improve conditions in originating countries, thereby reducing immigration pressure.
Conclusion: Cooperation and Support are Critical for the Future
In facing the challenge of illegal immigration, Mulino calls for regional collaboration to be the focus. The combined efforts of the Panamanian government and U.S. support might offer solutions to reduce future illegal immigration flows. However, until regional cooperation is deepened, the Darien Gap will remain an important passage for illegal immigration to the United States, posing greater governance challenges for both Panama and the U.S.
