Some 72 hours are just left to the transition; thus, Mulino appointed new directors and deputy ministers in paramount areas, including Roger Mojica at the head of the National Migration Service.
Concerning migration, Panama faces one of the highest peaks of irregular migration through the Darien Gap, on the border with Colombia, to the United States. So far, over 150,000 migrants have crossed over the dangerous jungle, while in 2023 a little more than 520, 000 travelers did so.
In that regard, Mulino advanced the project of closing the border, and deporting illegal travelers to their countries of origin, an initiative that has been supported by his new Minister of Security Frank Abrego.
During the week, the president-elect further appointed Miguel Angel Ordoñez as new director of Pandeportes and the lawyer Camilo Valdes, to head up the General Revenue Directorate (DGI), whose main challenge is to improve the tax administration systems. He will be in charge of 177 tax evasion investigations as well, totaling some USD$300 million.
Meanwhile, Mulino appointed Fausto Fernandez as deputy minister of Finance, who will accompany the new minister in that portfolio, Felipe Chapman.
ef/omr/mem/ga
