Panama City-. The Panamanian government confirmed today that so far this year, 281,399 irregular migrants have crossed the Darien Forest on their way to the United States, an unprecedented number.
The average daily walker count is 1,250, according to the National Immigration Service (SNM)—which closed on August 13—but last Saturday 2,473 people crossed the dangerous jungle.
This statistic multiplies by four in the 49,452 that crossed this natural border with Colombia in the first half of 2022.
In recent weeks, the flow has increased and projected statistics indicate that perhaps before the end of August it will exceed 300,000 passengers, SNM added.
In August, 29,641 migrants, mostly Venezuelans, were recorded crossing, although July stands out as the month with the highest crossing, with 55,387, an estimated record for the period.
The statement states that about 4,753 migrants are currently in reception centers located in Darien and the remainder in the Los Blanes de Gualaca (Chiriqui) shelter.
The Panamanian authorities have reiterated that the Darien socket is not an ordinary passage for travelers and ask them to abandon this idea, even with minors, because they are at the expense of human traffickers and the dangers of the rough terrain.
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