As reported in this study, 17% of this number of people are minors (41,200), a population vulnerable to diseases and the hostile geography of this route.

This year’s figure is an unprecedented one, which also doubles the number of irregular migrants who passed through Panama in 2021 on their way to the United States.

Irregular migration has become a business for criminal groups who charge fares, commissions, extort, and take advantage of the vulnerability of travelers.

This situation has changed the debate from an irregular migration to an orderly and safe one.

The Panamanian government has been a promoter of the discussion on this issue with the United Nations, the entity that protects this right, due to the consequences that the passage of irregular migrants through the jungle border with Colombia represents.

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