Panama New President Jose Raul Mulino Sworn In, Promises Migration Crackdown
Panama now has a new president as Jose Raul Mulino has now been sworn in as the country's new leader. As expected, he promised to stamp down on migration and address the Darien Gap situation, as well as work with the United States on the matter.
In his first address as president, Mulino promised to seek international assistance to find solutions to the migration crisis as more and more people from all over the world go through the Darien Gap from Colombia in an effort to reach the United States.
He described this as a "humanitarian and environmental crisis" and added that he and his government are signing an agreement with the United States to crack down on migration through the infamous jungle that is now the busiest migration route on the planet and also the most dangerous.
"We cannot continue financing the economic and social costs that massive illegal immigration generates for the country, along with the consequent connection of international criminal organizations," he told Panamanians in his inaugural address.
Soon after, Mulino's new foreign minister signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States, according to Reuters. This would "allow the closing off of the passing of illegal immigrants through the Darien," and it was signed by the US. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who attended the inauguration.
The White House confirmed the agreement and revealed that it was "designed to jointly reduce the number of migrants being cruelly smuggled through the Darien, usually en route to the United States," adding that the country will "support" efforts to repatriate migrants in Panama illegally. However, no further details were given.
Experts Say New Panama President Jose Raul Mulino's Migration Policy Would Not Be Easy To Do
The new foreign minister of Panama, Javier Martínez Acha, noted that the United States government has agreed to cover the costs but that the amounts were not yet set. Despite this, the endeavor would be a difficult one.
"It won't be easy to carry out this policy, groups and interests can be expected to come out against it," Michael Shifter, adjunct professor at Georgetown University, told the Associated Press, adding that the US government will have to shoulder the costs of deportation should this happen.
This would be a massive shift in Panama's active efforts to stop and deport migrants, as the former administration only sought to help migrants cross the country quickly and in an orderly fashion.
Who Attended the Inauguration of New Panama President Jose Raul Mulino?
In addition to Homeland Secretary Mayorkas, the US Ambassador to Panama Mari Carmen Aponte and Secretary of the United States Navy Carlos Del Toro were in attendance during Mulino's inauguration as part of the US delegation.
As for the world leaders in attendance, President Rodrigo Chaves Robles of Costa Rica also attended, and so did the leader of the country on the other side of the Darien Gap, President Gustavo Petro of Colombia. Both countries are also part of the migration route that migrants often take on their way to the US.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Panama's New President José Raúl Mulino Inauguration | Panama News Live | English News | N18G