A surge of migrants is passing through Panama’s Darién Gap jungle trail on their way to the United States, with the majority being Venezuelan nationals fleeing their country following the highly disputed July 28 presidential election. According to the latest statistics, 25,111 migrants passed through the Darién Gap in September, a 51.23% increase from the 16,603 recorded in August.
The election, which saw incumbent President Nicolás Maduro secure a landslide victory, has been widely condemned as a sham by the international community. The opposition, led by 75-year-old former diplomat Edmundo González, claims that Maduro’s victory was fraudulent, and has presented evidence to support their claims.
The Venezuelan migrant crisis has been ongoing for nearly a decade, with over 7.8 million people fleeing the country due to the collapse of socialism. The crisis is considered one of the worst in the Western Hemisphere, comparable only to those in Syria and Ukraine.
The increase in migrants passing through the Darién Gap has put a strain on Panama’s resources, with the government struggling to cope with the influx. In response, President José Raúl Mulino has implemented various measures to limit the flow of migrants, including the installation of barbed wire fences and the signing of a deal with the United States to launch deportation flights.
However, the use of these flights has been limited to non-Venezuelan nationals, as Panama has broken diplomatic ties with the Maduro regime. Refugees International has stated that the crackdown on migrants following the election has already led to increased emigration, with many Venezuelans seeking to escape the regime’s brutal persecution.
The situation has also led to a surge in migrants arriving in neighboring countries, including Brazil, where President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has stated that his administration will continue to receive migrants fleeing the Maduro regime. However, he has also expressed hope that Venezuela will “return to normal” soon, allowing migrants to return home.
Meanwhile, the United States is also grappling with the issue, with President Mulino declaring the flow of migrants an “immense global problem” that requires joint international efforts to address. The situation highlights the need for a coordinated response to the crisis, as well as a renewed commitment to addressing the root causes of migration.
