A growing number of Latin American migrants are opting to return to their home countries in South America by sea, abandoning hopes of reaching the United States. This shift comes in response to the strict immigration policies enforced by the Trump administration. These boat rides, sanctioned by local authorities, commence from the Guna Yala region in northeastern Panama and head towards Colombia.
With the "full knowledge" of authorities, as Panamanian Security Minister Frank Ábrego states, the Guna Yala indigenous territory has become a pivotal departure point for these journeys. SENAFRONT, Panama's national border service, has established designated departure points in non-populated areas to facilitate this route. Anelio Merry, a spokesperson for the Guna people, reported a significant uptick in migrants using this passage to reach Colombia, with at least 110 individuals seeking boat rides to the Colombian port town of Necoclí last Sunday alone.
These sea routes offer an alternative to the perilous trek through the Darien Jungle. However, the journey, which covers over 100 nautical miles in a single day, introduces new risks. A recent shipwreck near Mansucum, Panama, tragically resulted in the death of an 8-year-old Venezuelan girl, with twenty migrants being rescued after the incident. The Panamanian foreign ministry expressed regret over the shipwreck and acknowledged the nation's limited infrastructure to support migrant care.
"reaffirms its commitment to international cooperation and respect for human rights, particularly in situations involving people in vulnerable conditions." – The Panamanian foreign ministry
Despite warnings from authorities about "adverse conditions" at sea, migrants continue to embark on these boat rides. The Guna community has voiced concerns over the potential strain on their resources due to this reverse migration.
"and international organizations to suspend the massive arrival of migrants to our territory." – The Guna community
