The number of people crossing the treacherous Darien Gap linking Panama and Colombia hit a record high in the first seven months of the year, according to figures released on Monday, with July seeing a sharp increase despite recent efforts to curb the trend.
Official data from Panama’s Security Ministry revealed that 248,901 people walked through the jungle area between January and July, exceeding the previous record of 248,284 recorded for the entire year of 2022, with the majority aiming to reach the United States.
Entries into Panama from Colombia through the jungle region continue to rise despite a program launched in April by the United States, Panama, and Colombia to address undocumented immigration.
In July, the number of crossings reached a peak with 52,530 people participating in the dangerous journey, a 77% increase from June. The majority of migrants came from Venezuela, Haiti, and Ecuador.
The flow of migrants has significantly increased compared to previous years, even with the onset of the rainy season, according to Panama’s Security Minister Juan Pino.
At a press conference where the new figures were presented, migration official Maria Saravia stated that approximately 20% of the individuals who have crossed the jungle this year are minors, with 51% of them under the age of five.
The United Nations had forecasted in April that the total number of crossings would exceed 400,000 this year. The organization has also warned about the risks migrants face while crossing through the jungle, including disease, violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking.
(Reporting by Elida Moreno; Writing by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
