Panama - March 2025

President José Raúl Mulino has announced the gradual closure of the Bajo Chiquito and Canal Membrillo migrant shelters in the Darien region. According to the government, the facilities will no longer be needed, given the rapid and substantial decrease in the flow of migrants traveling from South America to the United States. Migrants arriving to those shelters received aid and medical attention from Panamanian institutions and NGOs. During his campaign and upon his election last year, Mulino promised to introduce stricter migration controls and ‘close’ the Darien Gap; now, those attempting to enter from the Darien after the shelters close will be deported. Although the number of people entering Panama from Colombia is decreasing, the number of migrants making the journey back south from the U.S. is increasing. Notably, Costa Rica and Panama agreed in February to coordinate assistance to returning migrants through means such as bussing, but the closure of the shelters in the Darien will negatively impact people in transit.

Sources:  La Estrella de Panamá, AP, France 24, Panamá América, Telemundo