Panama's Immigration Crisis

The number of Cuban immigrants arriving in Puerto Obaldia has been increasing rapidly. Monday, it was reported that the large number of immigrants arriving daily is overwhelming the small town.

Due to the back log of people entering and a general lack of resources, the area is suffering from poor health conditions, a lack of accommodations, food and potable water.

Ombudsperson Lilia Herrera Mow said, “the situation needs to be addressed because a failure to do so would be equivalent to a human rights violation.”

Foreign Affairs official Max José López Cornejo spoke yesterday to a possible solution for the build up of 1, 124 immigrants, trying to reach the United States. Lopez Cornejo explained that number of Cuban immigrants seeking to go to the United States has increased due to improving relations between the two countries. Furthermore the number of immigrants entering Panama has increased Costa Rica and Nicaragua are limiting the number they will accept.

La Prensa reported yesterday, that the delay is largely due to Panama's decision to only allow 60 immigrants per day leave for Panama City. However, in a more recent report Immigration Director Javier Carrillo told La Prensa that immigrants will not remain in Panama, he added "we are processing about 100 Cubans per day to determine their immigration status."

Other agencies helping to aid in the current situation are the ministry of health, the foreign ministry and the ministry of presidency.  

In an article called “USA or Bust: Exodus of Cubans walking to the U.S. is quickly becoming the Americas’ own refugee crisis” published on Fusion, the author speaks to the journey as a race against time.

“Cubans are afraid that improving bilateral relations between Washington and Havana will bring an end to the Cuban Adjustment Act, a cold war immigration measure that allows any Cuban who arrives on U.S. shores to stay in the country legally and qualify for citizenship.”

The same article spoke to the disparity felt by those immigrating, many with their entire family in tow.  Some waiting for families to send money so they can continue their quest for a better life, others waiting until their papers are processed, with little money to buy the basic necessities.

The author spoke to parallels between the, albeit much smaller influx of Cubans,  and Syrian refugees. “The majority of have come, feel there is no going back.”  

Currently, officials say their plan is to transfer immigrants to Panama City. With no signs in a slow of Cubans immigrating,  the boarder bottlenecks will likely continue in Costa Rica-Nicaragua, and Panama-Colombia.   

Many Cubans start their journey in Ecuador, where a visa upon arrival is not required for Cuban “tourists”. While the journey by sea is just a 90 mile boat ride across the Floria Straits, many are choosing the 3000 mile trek by land across the Panamanian jungle.