Panama's National Migration Service said on Monday that 151,582 migrants made the crossing between January and September, fleeing poverty and violence with the hope of reaching the US.
Panama says it is the only country which offers migrants humanitarian and health assistance along the Darien Gap, and has asked for help from neighbouring countries to address the crisis.More than 150,000 migrants so far this year have made the treacherous crossing across the Darien jungle which links Panama with Colombia, a record figure according to official data.
The figure, which surpasses the 133,726 who made the crossing throughout last year, may have exceeded 160,000 in the first days of October, according to Panama's ombudsman office, with the vast majority coming from Venezuela. Loprete said new visa entry requirements for Venezuelans in some countries, an additional cost many cannot afford, may be helping drive irregular migration.Panama says it is the only country which offers migrants humanitarian and health assistance along the Darien Gap, and has asked for help from neighbouring countries to address the crisis.