The migration flow through the hazardous Darién jungle, which serves as the natural border between Colombia and Panama, experienced a dramatic reduction in 2025. According to official data from Panama, only 3,091 crossings were recorded, marking a steep 99% decrease from the previous year when over 300,000 individuals ventured through this perilous route toward North America.
"From more than 300,000 irregular entries in 2024, we have dropped to just over 3,000 this year. This is a historic achievement that highlights a responsible and coordinated management approach, always upholding human rights," stated Frank Alexis Ábrego, Panama's Minister of Public Security, in an official release.
The decline in irregular crossings through the Darién was quantified by the minister, showing a fall from 302,203 in 2024 to a mere 3,091 in 2025. Additionally, the authorities conducted 22 charter flights to deport and expel foreign nationals throughout the year.
The number of irregular travelers in 2025 mirrors the figures from a decade ago, with 3,430 crossings in 2012 and 3,140 in 2013, according to official records. Nevertheless, these numbers are significantly lower compared to the over 300,000 migrants that entered Panama in 2024, the record-breaking 520,085 in 2023—the peak of the crisis—248,283 in 2022, and 133,726 in 2021.
The sharp decline in migrant movement is attributed largely to the stringent immigration policies implemented by Donald Trump's administration, following his return to the White House in January 2025. His strategy focused on increased deportations, intensified border controls, and stricter internal regulations for asylum seekers.
These measures were complemented by initiatives from Panama's President, José Raúl Mulino, who took office in July 2024. His actions included closing off pathways through the Darién and securing an agreement with the United States to facilitate deportation flights.
The Darién, a dense and treacherous jungle that divides South America and Central America, has been a major crossing point for thousands of migrants—predominantly from Venezuela, Haiti, and Ecuador—seeking to reach the United States in recent years.
The shift in U.S. policy, combined with pressure on Panama, seems to have temporarily curbed this migration route.
Impact of Immigration Policies on Darién Crossings
What caused the significant decrease in migrant crossings through the Darién in 2025?
The considerable drop in crossings is mainly due to the strict immigration policies implemented by Donald Trump's administration, which included deportations, enhanced border controls, and internal restrictions on asylum seekers.
How did Panama contribute to the reduction of migrant crossings?
Panama's President, José Raúl Mulino, played a role by closing pathways through the Darién and collaborating with the United States on deportation flights, further contributing to the decline in migrant crossings.