Mulino’s stay comes just 72 hours after his inauguration as head of state for the 2024-2029 term and following his campaign announcement that he would close the vast border territory with Colombia and begin deporting migrants to their countries of origin.

According to the new president, this visit has the objective of knowing first hand the situation of these flows and of the illegal travelers that he does not fully manage.

At noon this Friday, a considerable group of migrants is expected to arrive at Lajas Blancas from where they will be transferred to Chiriqui, on the border with Costa Rica to continue their journey.

The migratory crisis is one of the great challenges faced by Mulino, due to the fact that this transit has not only become an escape route for migrants but also for high profile criminals seeking to evade justice.

According to a recent press release from the National Migration Service (SNM), Operation Controlled Flow has registered 195,817 people passing through this jungle so far this year.

ef/jav/mem/ga