About the meeting with IOM Director General Amy Pope and United Nations Resident Coordinator in Panama Ana Graça, Foreign Minister-designate Javier Martinez highlighted the common interest in confronting the passage of thousands of people through the dangerous Darien jungle route, bordering Colombia on their way to the United States.

Regarding the exchange, in which new Security Minister Frank Abrego and the Presidency Minister Juan Carlos Orillac also participated, the diplomat commented that they emphasized the need to respect the human rights of travelers and a greater involvement of the countries of origin and destination.

He also pointed out that Panama does not have the resources to deal with the volume of migrants passing through that territory.

Martinez explained that Darien is not a route for migrants, but a forest reserve that is affected by this problem.

He justified that the announcement made by President-elect Jose Raul Mulino to close the border and deport illegal travelers to their countries of origin is a philosophical concept, as what is wanted is to reduce migrant flow drastically, he said.

jrr/iff/mem/ga