The flow of irregular migrants entering through the dangerous Darién jungle marked a "historic" decrease of 94% in January compared to the same period in 2024, according to official data from the National Migration Service (SNM) of Panama. In January 2025, a total of 2,158 migrants entered through the Darién, while the same period in 2024 saw that figure at 34,839, according to the figures provided by the entity.
Panamanian authorities announced this figure a few days before the arrival in the country of the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who has a scheduled meeting with Panamanian President, José Raúl Mulino, to discuss migration issues and the controversy surrounding the Panama Canal. A report issued by the Panamanian government detailed that in the last five months, 1,881 migrants were deported or expelled as part of the collaboration between Panama and the United States, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
The signed agreement includes the repatriation via air of irregular migrants who have entered Panama, funded by the United States. Since the signing of this agreement, more than 40 flights have been made with deported or expelled migrants, and it is expected that the U.S. Secretary of State will witness one of these deportation flights, specifically of Colombian citizens.
The Panamanian government attributes the decrease in migration flow to measures such as closing roads in the jungle, the application of fines for irregular entry into the country, climate conditions, and the deportation flight program funded by the U.S. Official statistics reveal that 55 migrants lost their lives in the Darién jungle for various reasons, such as assaults, animal attacks, diseases, or fatigue, a number that could be higher due to the difficulties in finding bodies in the dangerous jungle.
