Panama has recently taken action to curb U.S.-bound migration by installing barbed-wire fencing in the Darien Gap, a critical passage between South and Central America. Despite causing panic among migrants, these barriers have not entirely prevented crossings, as videos show people still finding ways to get through.
Panama’s Ministry of Public Security confirmed the new installations aimed at managing the influx of people and deterring organized crime from entering the country. While one passage will remain open for migrants with proper identification, reports suggest that some are still finding routes around the barriers.
The Darien Gap, a challenging terrain of mountains and rainforests, is the only land bridge connecting South America to Panama. An estimated half-million migrants crossed this gap in 2023, with significant numbers coming from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and China.
Recent efforts to slow migration through the Darien Gap reflect President José Raúl Mulino’s concerns, though the U.S. denies involvement in erecting barriers. Instead, a cooperative agreement with Panama aims to address irregular migration and curb smuggling networks.
By returning migrants to their countries of origin, the U.S. and Panama hope to deter unauthorized crossings and prevent the exploitation of vulnerable individuals by criminal organizations.