Central America

More than 178 Salvadorans applied for residency in Panama in four months of 2023

Photo: @migracionpanama

June 8 |

Panama’s National Migration Service reported that during the first four months of 2023, a total of 188 Salvadorans have applied for residency in that country, but of that number only 178 people received legal approval to reside in Panama, while the other eight applications were rejected.

According to the data of the migratory institution, published by the newspaper La estrella de Panamá, El Salvador ranks 14th among the countries with the highest number of residency applications processed between January and April 2023.

The data also reveals that most of these procedures are for permanent residence conditions, permits for work issues in multinational companies, renewal of permits for six years, study reasons, retirements, marriages and renewal of two-year permits.

In addition, it should be noted that along with Salvadoran citizens there are people from countries such as Colombia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, United States, China, Dominican Republic, Peru, India, Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Brazil and Italy, who also register a high number of requests for residence in the Central American country.

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In total during the first four months of the year, Panama reported that the immigration authorities processed a total of 10,338 applications for residence permits, of which 9,862 were approved and 476 denied.

The former director of the National Institute of Statistics and Census (Inec) of Panama, Raul Moreira, considers that this high number of residency applications may be influenced by the new immigration policies implemented by the United States, because as entry to the United States has become more complicated, many people from around the world consider it feasible to migrate to Panama to form “their new American dream”.

“Evidently the political and economic stability of our country, together with a quality of life superior to many of their countries of origin, constitutes a desirable destination for many foreigners…. This situation is what makes us fear that if the possibilities of entering the United States continue to become more complicated, then they will begin to see Panama as the place to fulfill their new American dream”, said Moreira, in declarations reported by the Panamanian media.

Central America

Costa Rica closes embassy in Cuba, citing human rights concerns

The government of Costa Rica announced on Wednesday the closure of its embassy in Cuba, a move that signals a further deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Foreign Minister Arnoldo André confirmed that Costa Rica has also requested the withdrawal of Cuban diplomatic personnel from San José, leaving only consular representation in place.

According to André, the decision is driven by concerns over the worsening human rights situation on the island, including increased repression against citizens and opposition figures.

He also noted that Cuba’s ongoing economic and social crisis—marked by shortages of food, medicine, and basic services—has made the operation of the embassy increasingly difficult.

President Rodrigo Chaves backed the measure, stating that his administration does not recognize the legitimacy of Cuba’s political system.

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In response, the Cuban government rejected the decision, calling it a “unilateral” move taken under pressure from United States.

“Under pressure from the United States, Costa Rica has limited its relations with Cuba to consular matters,” Cuba’s Foreign Ministry said, describing the action as “arbitrary.”

Despite the diplomatic setback, Cuban authorities stated that historical ties between the two nations would endure.

Central America

Costa Rica closes Cuba embassy as president escalates rhetoric

The president of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves, escalated political rhetoric on Wednesday, stating that “the hemisphere must be cleansed of communists,” following his government’s decision to close its embassy in Cuba.

The remarks come as Costa Rica moves to downgrade diplomatic relations with the island, citing a sustained deterioration in human rights. Chaves reiterated that his administration does not recognize the legitimacy of the Cuban government, accusing it of repression and of maintaining poor living conditions for its population.

“We do not recognize the legitimacy of that government. We will not maintain a consulate there; services will be handled from Panama,” Chaves said during a press conference.

The president also argued that the communist model has “failed” not only in Cuba but in every country where it has been implemented, emphasizing that freedom is essential for development.

The decision was made in coordination with president-elect Laura Fernández, who is set to take office on May 8 and is expected to maintain the same foreign policy stance.

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Foreign Minister Arnoldo André confirmed the closure of the embassy in Havana and requested that Cuba withdraw its diplomatic personnel from San José, while maintaining limited consular functions.

Costa Rican authorities justified the move by pointing to increased repression against citizens, activists, and opposition figures, as well as restrictions on fundamental freedoms.

The closure marks a new point of tension in bilateral relations and comes amid growing international pressure on Cuba.

Central America

Analyst questions IACHR role over report on El Salvador emergency measures

Political analyst Óscar Martínez Peñate on Tuesday called for a review of the role currently played by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), arguing that it has undermined its credibility by hosting the presentation of a report critical of El Salvador.

Speaking during the interview program Panorama, Martínez questioned the commission’s decision to accept a report prepared by the Grupo Internacional de Expertas y Expertos para la Investigación de Violaciones de Derechos Humanos en El Salvador, which examines alleged human rights violations under the country’s state of emergency.

“We should examine what the current role of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is. How is it possible that they agree to host the presentation of a report whose premise is against a State, a government, a political system, and Salvadoran society?” Martínez said.

He added that by allowing the presentation of the report, the commission “automatically disqualifies itself.”

Martínez also questioned whether it is appropriate for the IACHR to serve as a “platform” for what he described as the defense of criminals, by treating the GIPES report as credible.

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According to the analyst, the commission is acting in a way that contradicts its mandate by enabling narratives that, in his view, go against Salvadoran society.