At least 400 Cubans have passed through the Darien Jungle during 2024.

A little over 400 Cubans have crossed the Darien Jungle during 2024, reported Panama's National Migration Service.

The Controlled Flow of Migrants Operation developed by that entity registered, from January 1st to June 6th, 2024, a transit of about 174,513 people through that dangerous border crossing.

Of them, only 402 were Cubans, marking a drastic reduction in migrants from the island compared to previous years. In March 2023 alone, 220 Cubans crossed that region, and it was already a reduced number.

This flow significantly reduced after Nicaragua eliminated the visa requirement for residents on the island in November 2021, shortening a journey that previously began in Ecuador and forced them to cross the Darien Gap. Now, Cubans start their journey in Managua.

However, the flow of Venezuelans (113,244 from January 1st to June 6th), Ecuadorians (12,300), and Haitians (9,980) continues unabated, the organization states.

Similarly, around 11,219 migrants from Colombia have transited through the natural border between that country and Panama; 10,348 from China; 1,771 from India; and 15,249 from other nationalities.

The newly elected president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, promised to close the border crossing in the Darién jungle as a measure to control the migratory crisis.

Mulino's promise has a great impact on the migrant community, as the closure of one of the world's most dangerous routes, through which thousands of people pass each year to reach the United States, could lead to hundreds of deportations.

During his campaign, Mulino stated that he will repatriate irregular migrants, respecting their human rights. The announcement was made after the Electoral Tribunal of Panama confirmed his victory on Sunday, May 5th.