Migrants Facing Uncertainty at Panama Jungle Camp

Over 100 asylum seekers from various nations, deported from the United States to Panama, are in limbo about their duration of stay or their next destination.

This situation was reported by Julie Turkewitz from near the San Vicente camp in Panama, Farnaz Fassihi from New York, and Annie Correal from Mexico City.

The camp is located in the Darién jungle, approximately four hours by road from Panama City, down a rough and often quiet highway.

These over 100 asylum seekers are kept within the camp, surrounded by security and fences, sleeping on basic cots or benches.

Access for journalists is restricted, and it seems that lawyers are also facing hurdles in communicating with their clients inside the camp.

These migrants initially reached the southern border of the U.S. seeking asylum but were quickly sent to Central America.

This move aligns with the former U.S. administration's policy of relocating difficult-to-deport individuals to third countries. Among the approximately 300 individuals sent to Panama, more than half have chosen to return to their countries, according to President Raúl Mulino.