From January 2024 to July 18, the National Migration System's Controlled Flow of Irregular Migrants Operation in Panama has recorded the transit of approximately 213,702 people through the Darién jungle. The five countries with the most migrants are Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, China, and Haiti. Of this total, 12,639 people have arrived in Panamanian territory so far in July, of which 10,166 are adults and 2,473 are under 18 years old.
The shameful measures to detain and block migrants at the southern borders (Darién Gap) by the Panamanian government can be interpreted as a way of accepting, supporting, and working in service of U.S. immigration control policy. So much so that the President of Panama has mentioned that the U.S. border is not in Texas, but in Darién, undermining the country's struggle for sovereignty and the recovery of its territory.
"The U.S. border, instead of being in Texas, has moved to Panama. Therefore, we must work trilaterally (between the U.S., Colombia, and Panama) and understand that Panama is not a transit country for immigrants," President Raúl Mulino stated.
As of May 2024, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has 11 international field offices, including locations in Guatemala City, Havana, Mexico City, San Salvador, and Tegucigalpa in Latin America and the Caribbean. In recent years, the United States has established a presence in these countries and has ensured that these governments implement stricter measures at their own borders to stem the flow of migrants before they reach U.S. territory.
The agreements and collaborations on border security, such as the deployment of security forces in some Latin American countries, reflect a joint and complicit strategy to limit the movement of migrants northward, with southern countries assuming the responsibility of managing and controlling the migration of those seeking the American dream. This policy is an extension of U.S. borders.
However, this measure has also generated criticism and concerns regarding human rights. Migrants can become trapped in precarious and high-risk situations, without adequate access to basic services and without the possibility of seeking asylum or international protection, which constitutes a violation of their human rights and established international protections. The acceptance of this policy can be seen as complicity in creating a more hostile and restrictive environment for migrants, who often flee situations of violence, poverty, and persecution in their countries of origin.
A tragic example of the consequences of these policies was evident on July 24 of this year when 10 people drowned. According to a statement from the National Border Service (Senafront), these deaths were the result of a flash flood. The statement noted: “In the river tributaries near the community of Carreto, Guna Yala Comarca, in the Panamanian Caribbean, 10 bodies of migrants were observed, drowned due to a flash flood.”
People were seeking an alternative route to cross the Darién Gap, as Panama has closed six border crossings so far. These alternative routes put migrants' lives at great risk, and it was foreseeable that such violent and shameful measures as barbed wire would result in an increase in deaths at Panama's southern border.
The situation at Panama's southern borders has troubling parallels with the Mediterranean migration crisis, where thousands of migrants and refugees risk their lives crossing the sea in precarious boats, fleeing conflicts, persecution, and extreme poverty. In the Mediterranean, approximately 5,000 people drown each year. The externalization of European borders through agreements with North African countries reflects a similar strategy of shifting migration management to neighboring nations.
In both contexts, the criminalization of migration and restrictive policies have not stopped migration flows but have instead pushed migrants to more dangerous routes, resulting in preventable human tragedies. The response to these challenges must be a migration policy based on human rights, including the creation of safe and legal pathways for migration and the protection of people, not the current approach, which prioritizes national security and treats migrants as potential threats. Additionally, it is crucial to examine the policies that push people to migrate from their countries, often resulting from neoliberal economic policies that exploit and destabilize their regions of origin.
From an intersectional perspective, it is essential to recognize how these policies disproportionately affect women, children, and people from Afro-descendant communities, who already face multiple layers of discrimination and inequality. Migrant women, in particular, are susceptible to abuse and gender-based violence throughout their journey. Furthermore, the lack of access to adequate healthcare can exacerbate their situation, increasing the risks of unwanted pregnancies, sexual violence, and health complications.
Panama's migration policy is determined to control the migratory flow with a heavy hand, implementing deportation measures through flights funded by the U.S. government, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the newly installed Panamanian government on July 1, 2024. Both states want to send a clear message that the Darién Gap is not a route for migration.
Panama's political stance raises important questions about the ethical, humanitarian, and human rights implications, evidenced by preventable tragedies like the one in Carreto. AfroResistance demands that the migration crisis be addressed from an intersectional perspective and with a firm commitment to protecting the human rights of all migrants, especially women and children. Migration is a human right and should be treated as such. We demand clear policies based on social and gender justice, with a thorough human rights analysis to ensure the dignity and safety of all migrants.
In line with our principle of "Migration that honors the movement of Black peoples regardless of 'state,'" we affirm the need for an internationalist perspective on migration, where Black migrants, regardless of political, social, economic, or cultural migratory realities and histories, are honored and centered as members of society and, therefore, holders and guarantors of all their human rights.
AfroResistance Demands:
- Address the migration crisis from an intersectional perspective.
- Protect the human rights of all migrants.
- Pay special attention to the protection of migrant women and children.
- Recognize and defend that migration is a human right.
- Implement clear policies based on social and gender justice.
- Conduct a thorough human rights analysis in all migration policies.
- Ensure the dignity and safety of all migrants.
- Honor and center Black migrants as members of society and guarantors of all their human rights.
This upcoming delegation is of utmost importance because it offers a unique opportunity to witness and understand firsthand the realities faced by Black and migrant communities in Latin America. Participating in this experience allows attendees to connect with local leaders, learn about their struggles and resistances, and strengthen international solidarity. By joining, you can contribute to the development of more just and effective policies that honor human rights and promote social justice. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this transformative movement and to bring the voices and experiences of these communities to a wider audience. Sign up now and join us on this journey of learning and action! www.afroresistance.org/travelwithus
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