Panama President-Elect Jose Raul Mulino Mulling More Checkpoints Across the Darien Gap to Stop Migrants

By Rick Martin May 16 2024, 22:32 PM EDT

Panama President-Elect Jose Raul Mulino is trying to fulfill his promise to close down the Darien Gap, a feat experts believe is impossible. However, Mulino is presenting some suggestions on how to do this, including putting more checkpoints in the infamous jungle between Panama and Colombia.

An unprecedented number of migrants, many of whom are children, have crossed what is considered one of the most treacherous stretches of jungle in the world, all in an effort to get to the United States. However, the United States is pressuring countries that these migrants pass through to stem the flow, including Panama.

Mulino's incoming security chief, Frank Abego, also suggested that Panama may close its border with Colombia, adding checkpoints to process the migrants and deport them. Along with Mulino, he is expected to take office on July 1, but it is not yet known when they will implement their plans.

With Mexico clamping down on air travel and helping the US in deporting migrants, more and more migrants are forced to travel by land. An estimated d 520,000 migrants crossed the Darien Gap last year, setting a new record, and most of them are fleeing crisis-stricken countries like Venezuela, Ecuador, Haiti, and China.

"If a border closure were declared tomorrow, we establish the checkpoints where we can detain ... these illegal immigrants," said the incoming administration's security official. "I think that's going to happen."

During the campaign period leading up to the election, Mulino had promised to close the Darien Gap, saying, "Those who arrive here are going to be returned to their country of origin."

Panama President-Elect Jose Raul Mulino Increasing Anti-Migrant Rhetoric

The Darien Gap is a sparsely populated region between Panama and Colombia. It is filled with all sorts of dangers, from strong rivers to treacherous wildlife and rebel groups seeking to extort migrants for money. Yet, these migrants still push on in their hope of getting to the US. Jose Raul Mulino wants to stop this.

"Panama and our Darien are not a transit route. It is our border, he previously said right after winning the election with 34% of the vote. He previously promised to end "the Darien odyssey that does not have a reason to exist."

However, experts have warned that closing the border would only get migrants to try even more dangerous routes, such as trying to head to Mexico or the US by boat.

New Panama President-Elect Jose Raul Mulino Expected to be Business-Friendly

As for his policies, Jose Raul Mulino is a right-wing politician and is expected to be more business-friendly than the current administration. This is widely seen as he has tapped business leader Felipe Chapman for the economy and finance minister post and economist Javier Martinez-Acha as foreign minister, according to Reuters.

"The campaign is over, from here on out it's our job to lead the country with the best people possible," said the president-elect regarding his cabinet picks. These picks have certainly made many business experts happy as the analysts from BancTrust & Co. stated that they are "clearly a positive development, one that increases the likelihood of more sound fiscal management in upcoming years."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Colombia - Panama: The Darien Gap | ARTE.tv Documentary