José Raúl Mulino, Panama’s new president, has vowed to crack down on irregular migration through the Darien Gap to address the influx of migrants entering the country illegally. The corridor saw over half a million travelers last year, with most coming from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and China. Mulino emphasized that Panama cannot be a route for illegal immigration related to drug and human trafficking.
In his efforts to tackle irregular migration, Mulino secured an agreement with the U.S. government for cost-sharing on deporting migrants who enter Panama illegally through the Darien Gap. The U.S. role would be to cover the expenses of deportation flights. This policy marks a significant shift from the outgoing administration’s approach, which facilitated migrants’ movement across the country to the Costa Rican border.
Mulino also aims to address other pressing issues in Panama, such as managing the Panama Canal and filling the budget gap created by the cancellation of a major mining concession. He criticized the previous administration for leaving behind economic challenges and public debt, pledging to focus on improving the lives of Panamanians by combating poverty and investing in youth employment and infrastructure.
Overall, Mulino’s presidency begins with a focus on immigration enforcement, economic recovery, and social welfare programs. His commitment to addressing these challenges will shape his administration’s policies and priorities in the coming years.
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