Panama President-Elect Jose Raul Mulino Wants Deal With US Regarding Migrants Crossing the Darien Gap

Panama President-Elect Jose Raul Mulino is doubling down on his promise to address the migration problem in the Americas and said he wants the United States to help his country out with the issue, particularly on the migrants coming in through the infamous Darien Gap, which is considered the most treacherous migration route on earth.

On Friday, the next leader of Panama announced that he wants an agreement with the United States on deporting migrants who cross the Darien Gap, which is located between Panama and Colombia. This perilous stretch of jungle connects South America to Central America and is now the busiest migration route.

He made the comments during a visit to the jungle region, and according to ABC News, he also stated that he will bring the matter up when he meets Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas during his s inauguration next week. Secretary Mayorkas will be leading the US contingent sent by President Joe Biden.

During his campaign, Mulino infamously promised that he would be shutting down the Darien Gap to stop the flow of migrants coming in from South America, stating that the daily crossings were "an odyssey that does not have a reason to exist."

"I hope to sign a respectful and dignified agreement with the United States so the two countries can begin the repatriation processes of all these people who are accumulated here," he said during his Darien Gap Visit on Friday, though he did not elaborate any further.

"I've seen other crises in the Darien, but this is the worst I've seen. It breaks my heart to see children my grandchildren's age ask me for a bottle of water," he added.

Migrants Supportive of Panama President-Elect Jose Raul Mulino Plans to Shut Down Darien Gap Route

Mulino and several future Cabinet members visited a temporary migrant reception center near the Darien Gap known as Lajas Blancas. There, he spoke with several migrants and it seems that they are actually supportive of his plans to close the Darien Gap's migration route.

"He (Mulino) will have to close it," Pedro Monte, a Venezuelan migrant who lost his wife on the way to the Darien Gap, told the Associated Press. "It's the most dangerous thing ... there are thieves, there are deaths, it's a pity that people lose their lives there."

While many support this plan, experts have cautioned the incoming president that his plan would not just be difficult, but would also be expensive to implement given how large the jungle is.

White House Confirms US Delegation to Panama for Jose Raul Mulino Inauguration

With its clampdown on migration, the Biden administration has been partnering with governments along the migration route, such as Mexico and Guatemala. With Jose Raul Mulino being enthusiastic about clamping down on migration, Panama would also be an important partner in this endeavor.

Biden is expected to send Mayorkas as the leader of the US delegation, and he is also sending several others, including Ambassador to Panama Mari Carmen Aponte, Secretary of the Navy Carlos del Toro, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration Julieta Valls Noyes, and Marcela Escobari, Coordinator for the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection & Special Assistant to the President.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Panamanian Election Immigration Impacts - KABB FOX San Antonio