From January 1 to September 30, a total of 151,572 migrants have crossed through the extensive Darién jungle, with the sole objective of reaching the United States, as announced by the Minister of Public Security, Juan Manuel Pino .
He pointed out that of that total, 107 thousand 723 are from Venezuela; 8,579 from Haiti; 4,322 from Cuba and 14,297 from other countries.
“In the month of July, 22,822 migrants passed through, in August 31,142 and in September it increased to 48,194. Currently, in Panama there are 8,566 migrants in the camps of Bajo Chiquito, Cannán Membrillo, San Vicente and Lajas Blancas,” reported Pino.
The Security Minister also pointed out that the number of migrants increased during the month of September when more than 2,000 migrants were received per day, of which 80% were Venezuelans.
Pino stated that “the National Immigration Service and the National Border Service do a great job when these people arrive, they stay for about five or six days, and then continue their journey. Every day, more than 2,000 migrants are sent by bus from Darién to Los Planes de Gualaca, province of Chiriquí, to continue their destination, which is the United States.”
So far this year, 18 people linked to migrant smuggling have been captured by units of the Public Security Establishments of Panama together with personnel from the Public Ministry through Operations Twilight and Mantus 1 and 2, which have resulted in resulted in the capture of nine Colombians, six Panamanians and three Venezuelans.
During 2022, the Public Ministry has received more than 40 complaints of robbery of migrants and more than 25 cases of rape, events that were recorded during their journey from Colombia to the jungles of Darién, however many decide not to file them or leave the case, because their only objective is to cross and reach the United States of America.
