International
Panama closes three access steps in the Darién to “channel” the flow of migrants
Panama closed at least three of the steps that migrants use to cross the Darién, which marks the border with Colombia, with a “perimeter barrier,” with the aim of “channeling” its flow to exert greater control over this irregular route that hundreds of people use daily on their way to North America, the Panamanian authorities reported on Wednesday.
The National Border Service (Senafront) of Panama said in a statement to which EFE had access that “measures were taken to control the massive irregular migration faced by the Panamanian State” in order to “channel irregular migration” to Bajo Chiquito, the first town that migrants arrive at after crossing the Darién jungle on foot for days.
These measures, he explained, are based on blocking “three unauthorized steps used by irregular migrants, which are identified as the passages along the Pacific coast and Caribbean coast (…), as well as the land passes that give access to the Chucurti Stopho sector, the latter was blocked with perimeter barriers that prevent the passage of migrants.”
As explained by Senafront, “with the previous control, security forces were available at multiple points, which dispersed the efficiency in the fight against transnational criminal organizations that benefit from human trafficking, illicit collections and other crimes related to this vulnerable population.”
Now, “by concentrating efforts in a single step, the provision of territorial control patrols, protection and multidimensional security related to migrants is exponentially strengthened.”
Until now, many migrants used to report being victims of theft or rape by criminal gangs throughout the Darién.
In addition, that border police announced that the new Government of José Raúl Mulino “plans the launch of a new campaign called ‘Darién’ that aims to guarantee a climate of peace and tranquility in this region of the country.”
The new president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, already anticipated last Friday, during a tour to the Darién prior to his investiture, the placement of “speer fences” with “the spirit that people take the only way to get here, not scattered,” in addition to the police presence in some areas of that jungle.
The closure of those unauthorized steps or paths occurs in the midst of a large flow of migrants through that Darién jungle, through which this year more than 195,000 people have crossed, most of them Venezuelans, while in 2023 there were more than 520,000, an unprecedented figure, according to official data.
Mulino also referred to the problem in Darién during his investiture speech last Monday, the day on which Panama and the United States, the main destination of the migrants, signed an agreement to repatriate passers-by, for which the North American country promised to cover the expenses.
The new Panamanian president maintains a strong speech in the face of migration by the Darién calling it “illegal” and already in the campaign he had promised the “closure” of the Darién, something that he later nuanced as a concept of “philosophical” closure, in which more and more barriers are being put so that migrants do not follow that route.
“Panama will no longer be a transit country for the illegals. I will not allow local complicity,” he said in his possession speech.
International
Iranian leader warns foreign powers have “no place” in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said Thursday that the Persian Gulf is entering a new era marked by a “bright” future without the presence of the United States in the region.
His remarks came during the commemoration of Persian Gulf Day, amid ongoing regional tensions following recent military confrontations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
“Today, two months after the largest military buildup and aggression by the bullies of the world in the region and the humiliating defeat of the United States, a new chapter is being written for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,” Khamenei stated.
The Iranian leader insisted that the future of the region would be free from American influence and focused instead on the internal development and prosperity of Gulf nations.
“By the power and strength of God, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be a future without the United States and dedicated to the progress, welfare, and prosperity of its nations,” he said.
Khamenei also questioned the effectiveness of U.S. military bases in the region, arguing that they do not provide security even for Washington’s allies.
“Foreigners who come from thousands of miles away and commit evil and malicious acts have no place there except at the bottom of its waters,” he declared.
In addition, the Iranian leader defended new measures being prepared by Tehran to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including fees for vessels passing through the strategic waterway. According to Khamenei, the policies would generate economic benefits and greater stability for the region.
Regional tensions remain high following the conflict that erupted on February 28 between the United States and Israel against Iran, leading to strategic blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply previously passed. The situation has disrupted maritime trade and contributed to rising global oil prices.
Central America
U.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
The United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago issued a joint statement in support of Panama’s sovereignty, arguing that China’s recent actions represent an attempt to politicize maritime trade and undermine the sovereignty of nations in the hemisphere.
“We are closely monitoring China’s selective economic pressure and recent actions affecting vessels flying the Panamanian flag,” the statement released Tuesday said. “Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system and, as such, must remain free from undue external pressure.”
The statement comes amid growing tensions surrounding the Panama Canal and the operation of key ports linked to global trade.
At the end of January, Panama’s Supreme Court invalidated the legal framework supporting the 1997 concession that granted Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, the right to operate the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals located on the Pacific and Atlantic entrances of the Panama Canal.
The ruling followed mounting pressure from the United States to curb Chinese influence around the strategic waterway, through which roughly 5% of global maritime trade passes.
CK Hutchison, which managed the ports for nearly three decades, rejected the court’s decision and accused Panamanian authorities of illegally confiscating its assets. The company has launched international arbitration proceedings against Panama, seeking more than $2 billion in damages.
Following the court ruling, reports emerged of increased detentions and inspections of Panamanian-flagged vessels in China, actions widely viewed as retaliatory measures.
On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the joint statement as “completely unfounded and misleading,” accusing the United States of politicizing port operations and warning that Beijing would take steps to protect its interests in Panama.
International
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
King Charles III of the United Kingdom reaffirmed the strength of the British-American relationship on Tuesday during a speech before the United States Congress, describing the alliance between the two nations as “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”
The address, delivered at the Capitol, marked the first speech by a British monarch before Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 and comes at a time of political tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable,” the king said.
While reflecting on the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will be commemorated this year, Charles III stated that the partnership between the two countries “was born out of disagreement, but is no less strong because of it.”
The monarch emphasized the democratic values shared by both nations and noted that major global changes have occurred whenever the two allies found common ground.
“When we have found that way to agree, great changes have taken place not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples,” he said.
King Charles also quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently described the relationship as “an indispensable alliance.”
Concluding his speech, the monarch described the shared history of the United States and the United Kingdom as “a story of reconciliation, renewal, and an extraordinary partnership.”
He added that Washington and London have forged “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”
“I pray with all my heart that our alliance continues to defend our shared values, together with our partners in Europe, the Commonwealth, and around the world, and that we ignore calls urging us to become increasingly isolationist,” Charles III stated.
The king ended by urging both nations to “recommit to one another in selfless service to our peoples and to all peoples of the world.”
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