Migration Through Panama's Darién Gap Falls by 99%

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Key Takeaways

• Migrant crossings through the Darién Gap decreased by 99%, from over 37,000 in February 2024 to 408 in February 2025.
• U.S. and Panama policies, including stricter border controls, deportation agreements, and physical barriers, significantly reduced northward migration flows.
• Humanitarian aid has waned, creating challenges for the few migrants still crossing, amid ongoing exploitation and inadequate support services.

Migration trends in the Western Hemisphere have undergone a dramatic change, with the number of migrants traveling to the United States via the Darién Gap—one of the most dangerous migration routes—dropping by 99% as of February 2025. This steep decline highlights the influence of policy shifts, international cooperation, and enforcement efforts aimed at managing human migration more effectively.

Key Shifts in Darién Gap Migration

Migration Through Panama’s Darién Gap Falls by 99%

The Darién Gap, a 60-mile stretch of jungle separating Colombia 🇨🇴 and Panama 🇵🇦, has historically been a perilous pathway for migrants seeking to reach North America. In February 2025, only 408 people attempted the treacherous crossing, a sharp contrast to the over 37,000 who made the journey in the same month in 2024. This has been recorded as the lowest number of crossings since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

For years, vulnerability defined the experiences of migrants tackling the Darién Gap. In 2023, over 520,000 people risked the hazards of this jungle route. This number fell to over 300,000 in 2024 before the recent plunge in crossings. A variety of factors explain this sharp drop, including restrictive immigration policies implemented by the current U.S. administration, improved enforcement tactics on both sides of the border, and collaborative efforts between governments in the region.

Impact of the Trump Administration’s Policies

A key factor behind the 99% decline has been the immigration policies introduced by President Trump. Taking office on January 20, 2025, the Trump administration adopted a hardline approach that reshaped migration patterns along routes heading to the U.S. Among the initiatives were stricter border controls and enhanced immigration agreements with neighboring countries. These measures drastically curtailed the flow of migrants heading northward via the Darién Gap.

Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reveals the effectiveness of these initiatives. Between December 2024 and January 2025, migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border decreased by 36%. By targeting the primary migration routes before migrants reached the U.S. border, these policies appear to have deterred significant numbers from attempting the risky journey through Panama.

Panama’s Response and Policy Shifts

President Jose Raul Mulino of Panama, who assumed office in 2024, has introduced policies aimed at controlling migration through the Darién Gap. One of the most visible measures was the erection of barbed-wire fencing along parts of the Colombian border to close off walking paths commonly used by migrants. Though the Darién’s main route remains open, these barriers signal enhanced border management by Panama.

Beyond physical deterrents, Panama signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the U.S. in late 2024. Under this agreement, Panama facilitated the “repatriation” of irregular migrants, which resulted in 2,175 deportations from Panama to their home countries in 2024. Moreover, the U.S. expanded this agreement to include deportations of unauthorized migrants from Africa and Asia into Panama, which marked a strategic achievement for the Trump administration. On February 13, 2025, the first flight of deportees arrived in Panama carrying individuals from multiple Asian countries, with the costs of the operation assumed by the U.S.

Demographic Shifts Among Migrants

The changes in migration flows have also influenced the profiles of those still making their way through the Darién Gap. Venezuelan 🇻🇪 nationals continue to represent the largest share of migrants using this route, although their proportion dropped to 50% of all crossings in January 2025. This marks a notable shift, as Venezuelan migrants previously accounted for a much larger fraction of total crossings. Migrants hailing from countries like Colombia 🇨🇴, Nepal 🇳🇵, and Iran 🇮🇷 are also part of the flow, highlighting the diverse origins of individuals navigating regional migration pathways.

Regional Humanitarian Impacts

The steep decline in Darién Gap crossings has had a ripple effect on aid organizations that previously provided extensive support to migrants traveling through this jungle route. Many of these organizations have scaled back their activities, reducing access to food, medical care, and basic necessities for the small number of people still attempting the crossing. While overall safer in terms of sheer numbers, the jungle remains dangerous for migrants, compounded by the erosion of support infrastructure.

Migrants traveling through Panama now face additional challenges, particularly as humanitarian aid and protection services have dwindled. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has urged governments in the region, including Panama 🇵🇦 and Colombia 🇨🇴, to tackle exploitation by criminal networks targeting migrants. Calls for providing humanitarian provisions like clean water, food, and healthcare underline persistent gaps in services for displaced populations.

Panama’s Evolving Migration Landscape

Domestically, Panama is adapting to migration shifts by recalibrating its resource allocation. The country is considering more robust use of infrastructure like the Nicanor airport in Darién to facilitate deportation and repatriation processes. Additionally, Panama faces the emergence of new migration patterns, such as migrants moving southward instead of northward, showing up at the Costa Rica-Panama border. These developments represent new challenges for Panama as it continues to manage complex patterns of human migration.

Long-Term Implications and Challenges

While the steep decline in Darién Gap crossings represents a significant policy achievement for both the U.S. and Panama, questions remain about the long-term viability and human impact of these efforts. Critics have raised concerns over the safety of migrants still attempting to cross the jungle, especially given the decline in humanitarian support. There are also growing critiques from human rights advocates regarding the effectiveness of mass deportation strategies and their potential legal and ethical implications.

The United Nations has consistently called for balanced approaches to migration management, encouraging countries to prioritize both border security and the welfare of the displaced. Ensuring accountability for abuses by criminal groups and bandits remains a critical priority across the region, while public health standards for migrants remain an area requiring improvement.

Global Context and Policy Takeaways

The developments surrounding the Darién Gap exemplify how coordinated government action can reduce irregular migration. However, this coordination has surfaced broader debates around the intersection of humanitarian obligations and national immigration controls. As noted by VisaVerge.com, regional agreements, like the Panama-U.S. MoU, can pave the way for stronger migration partnerships when paired with dedicated resources and policy follow-through.

For countries like Panama, the reduction in northward migration represents only part of the story. The presence of reverse flows between Costa Rica 🇨🇷 and Panama requires updated strategies and international partnerships to provide lasting solutions. For migrants fleeing crisis, the question remains—are these policy changes effectively addressing the root causes of displacement?

Moving Forward

As of March 2025, the picture is still developing. The Trump administration’s aggressive policies and Panama’s border management measures have undeniably reshaped migration flows through the Darién Gap. Yet, a complete resolution to the broader migration crisis in the region remains elusive. There is a fine line between enforcing immigration laws and safeguarding the fundamental rights of those displaced—which remains a central challenge for governments in the region.

Policymakers will need to watch this issue closely in the coming months to determine how these dramatic changes affect regional stability, international relationships, and the safety of displaced populations. Robust data sharing, new bilateral agreements, and efforts to responsibly address the human cost of migration are key elements of any sustainable long-term strategy.

For more information on U.S. immigration policies related to regional agreements, you can visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website, which provides official guidance and resources.

Learn Today

Darién Gap → A 60-mile dangerous jungle passage between Colombia and Panama, often used by migrants traveling northward.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) → A formal agreement between parties, outlining terms of cooperation, such as migration management between countries.
Repatriation → The process of returning individuals, often migrants, to their country of origin or citizenship.
Irregular Migration → The movement of people across borders without legal authorization or compliance with immigration regulations.
Humanitarian Aid → Support like food, medical care, and protection provided to displaced people during crises or dangerous situations.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Darién Gap: Migration’s Turning Point

Once a perilous jungle route for migrants, the Darién Gap saw crossings plummet 99% by February 2025. Stricter U.S. policies, Panama’s border enforcement, and international agreements reshaped regional migration. While safer routes evolve, challenges persist: humanitarian aid shortages, migrant exploitation, and unresolved displacement crises demand urgent attention for sustainable solutions.