Panama closes three border crossings in the Darien Jungle.

The National Border Service (Senafront) of the Republic of Panama closed at least three border crossings commonly used by migrants traveling through the dangerous Darién jungle on their way to Colombia and ultimately to the United States.

In a statement, the Panamanian government agency announced that "measures have been taken to control the massive irregular migration facing the Panamanian state" in order to "channel irregular migration" to Bajo Chiquito, the first village where migrants arrive after crossing the Darién jungle on foot, as reported by DW.

The measure was described as a blockade of "three unauthorized steps used by irregular migrants, identified as steps through the Pacific coast and the Caribbean coast (...), as well as overland steps granting access to the sector of the Chucurti Border Point, the latter being blocked with perimeter barriers preventing the passage of migrants."

The objective is to concentrate police forces in one single point, since with the previous strategy they were divided, thus "dispersing efficiency in the fight against transnational criminal organizations that benefit from human trafficking, illicit charges, and other crimes related to this vulnerable population," they add.

The Darien jungle is a inhospitable strip of 100 kilometers between the borders of Colombia and Panama. In 2023, it almost reached the dramatic figure of 500,000 people crossing it.

The organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported in a statement that this is an unprecedented crisis that is being "neglected" by the authorities, as immigrants are facing one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world.

The new Minister of Public Security of Panama, Frank Ábrego, recently praised these measures that have been taken to address the migration crisis.

Ábrego confirmed the installation of blockades on most of the route in order to establish a humanitarian corridor.

This decision is part of fulfilling the promises of the newly assumed President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, who has stated that he wants to stop the incessant irregular migration through the Darién jungle with the help of the United States.

"I will not allow Panama to be an open path to thousands of people who enter our country illegally, supported by an entire international organization linked to drug trafficking and human trafficking," declared at the beginning of his speech after being sworn in as president on July 1st, at an event at the Atlapa Convention Center overlooking the Pacific Bay in the Panamanian capital.