The Panamanian government has established fines ranging from one thousand to five thousand dollars for all foreign individuals who enter the country irregularly through the border with Colombia. The sanctions will be adjusted according to the vulnerability conditions of immigrants and aim to curb the alarming increase of foreign citizens crossing the Darién jungle, a natural border with Colombia, through informal paths.
Executive Decree 194, published on Friday, October 25, specifies that fines will be applied to those who violate land, air, or maritime migration control points. These individuals must pay the fine before they can leave the country; otherwise, they will be deported according to Panama's migration laws.
The decree also considers the vulnerability conditions of migrants entering irregularly through the Darién. A tiered fine system is established, starting at $300 for the first offense and increasing to $1,000 for each recurrence. This penalty must be paid before departing for Costa Rica.
It is emphasized that through the Controlled Flow Operation, the Panamanian state ensures the safe transit of irregular migrants from border to border, providing them with basic services and humanitarian aid, protecting them from vulnerability to criminal networks. So far, 274,444 irregular travelers have arrived in Panama through the jungle on their way to North America, a 36.5% decrease compared to last year.
An agreement between Panama and the United States has significantly reduced the transit of irregular migrants through the Darién Gap. Through this agreement, nearly 800 migrants have been deported on flights funded by the U.S., mainly Colombian and Ecuadorian citizens. However, this measure does not apply to Venezuelan migrants due to the suspension of diplomatic relations between Panama and Venezuela.
