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Significant Drop in Migrant Crossings Through Darién Jungle Reported in 2025

KVIA•Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 1:40 PM•CNN Newsource

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AI Summary

In a remarkable shift, the number of migrants crossing the Darién jungle between Colombia and Panama plummeted by 99% in 2025, with only 3,091 crossings compared to over 300,000 in 2024. Panama's Minister of Public Security, Frank Alexis Ábrego, attributed this historic decline to effective management and respect for human rights. The drastic decrease mirrors migration levels not seen since 2012-2013, highlighting the impact of stringent U.S. immigration policies under President Trump and measures taken by Panama's President José Raúl Mulino, including the closure of pathways and deportation agreements with the U.S. This situation significantly affects the migrant community, illustrating the challenges and changes in migration patterns towards North America.

Key Details: • 2025 saw only 3,091 irregular crossings through the Darién jungle. • This represents a 99% decrease from 2024's over 300,000 crossings. • The reduction is attributed to U.S. immigration policies and Panama's new measures. • Historical comparison shows similar crossing levels to 2012 and 2013.

border migration darién panama immigration-policy

People & Organizations

Donald TrumpJosé Raúl MulinoColombiaPanamaFrank Alexis ÁbregoDarién

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