In recent developments, Costa Rica and Panama have joined forces to streamline the passage of migrants heading south through their countries. This move utilizes the same path that saw an influx of migrants moving northward over previous years. The objective is to address the current shift in migration dynamics following the closure of the United States border to asylum seekers, a policy implemented since the start of President Donald Trump’s administration.
The countries’ security ministers convened at Peñas Blancas, a border crossing between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, to initiate a process where migrants will board buses to reach a Costa Rican government facility near the Panama border. From there, transport will be arranged for these individuals to Panama’s Darien province, bordering Colombia.
Costa Rican Security Minister Mario Zamora emphasized the focus on helping Colombians, Venezuelans, and Ecuadorians reach their home countries safely, thereby protecting them from exploitation by human traffickers. Meanwhile, Frank Ábrego, Zamora’s Panamanian counterpart, highlighted the benefits of regulating the migration route across both nations.
On Monday, backpack-laden migrants crossed from Nicaragua into Costa Rica, successfully navigating immigration checks before boarding buses heading south. Recently, migrants have also taken boats from a Panamanian port to reach the Panama-Colombian border, a strategic decision allowing them to bypass the dangerous land route through the Darien Gap.
A Venezuelan traveler, Bárbara Somayor, expressed a preference for air transportation over boats due to safety concerns, though she acknowledged the inherent risks of their journey. Some migrants have faced obstacles from authorities as they attempted to traverse these regions independently.
This shift in migration patterns coincides with Costa Rica and Panama’s agreement to accommodate hundreds of migrants previously deported by the United States, primarily originating from Asian countries. While some have opted to return to their homeland, others remain detained as officials and humanitarian organizations work to resolve their situations.
In Panama’s Darien, a previously used camp for northbound migrants now houses those detained, who report adverse living conditions and an absence of legal support and information. Recently, a group of attorneys submitted a plea to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, seeking protective measures for the rights of these individuals.
