Costa Rica and Panama Collaborate on Migrant Transit Amid Changing Patterns
Costa Rica and Panama are collaborating to facilitate the transit of migrants heading south after many abandoned efforts to reach the U.S. due to stricter immigration policies. A coordinated transport plan aims to safely assist individuals returning to their home countries while minimizing dangers associated with human trafficking and violence. Additionally, the two nations are managing the reception of deported migrants from the U.S., raising concerns about their treatment and conditions.
Costa Rica and Panama have initiated a cooperative effort to manage the transit of southbound migrants escaping dire circumstances after being turned back by the U.S. border. Both nations recently faced challenges as they adjusted to the increasing number of migrants now heading south, a response to the immigration policies established by the Trump administration since January. In a meeting held in Peñas Blancas, officials from both countries devised a plan to facilitate the movement of migrants from Central and South America through their borders.
At the border, migrants will board buses that transport them to designated Costa Rican facilities before continuing to Panama, specifically to the Darien province near Colombia. Costa Rican Security Minister Mario Zamora emphasized that this initiative aims to assist Colombians, Venezuelans, and Ecuadorians to return safely to their home countries while minimizing the risks posed by human traffickers. His Panamanian counterpart, Frank Ábrego, remarked on the plan’s intention to provide a more orderly transit system for migrants traveling through their countries.
Recently, small groups of migrants have been seen crossing from Nicaragua into Costa Rica and swiftly moving southbound. Some migrants have opted to travel by boat across a Panamanian port to bypass dangerous land routes such as the treacherous Darien Gap. Venezuelan migrant Bárbara Somayor expressed her concerns regarding the risks of boat travel, stating, “I think it would be better if they offered us air transportation, because boats pose a risk for both adults and children.”
This reverse migratory trend coincides with the agreement between Panama and Costa Rica to accept several hundred migrants who had been deported from the United States, primarily from Asian countries. While some migrants are returning home, others are being detained amid uncertainty regarding their status and treatment. Reports describe harsh conditions in camps, particularly in Panama’s Darien province, where groups have called for protections pertaining to detained migrants’ rights.
The coordinated efforts of Costa Rica and Panama highlight a significant shift in migration patterns, addressing the flow of migrants heading south due to U.S. immigration policies. By implementing organized transportation, both countries aim to ensure safer passage for migrants while also dealing with the complexities arising from deported individuals. However, ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of detained migrants continue to pose a humanitarian challenge.
Original Source: apnews.com
