Monday
Monday 13th January 2025.
January 12, 2025
The Donald Trump administration is considering closing the Darien Gap and preventing thousands of migrants from crossing on their way to the United States, according to Tom Homan, the head of borders for the next administration of the North American nation, in an interview with NBC .
“This is something that must be done. Closing the Darien Gap will protect our national security and save thousands of lives,” Homan said on Thursday, January 9, at the southern border of the United States.
Homan said they will work closely with foreign governments to implement policies to curb illegal traffic.
According to data from the National Migration Service (SNM) , crossings through this jungle stretch, which spans 70 miles, decreased by 42% during 2024 , with 302,071 migrants.
This would not be the first time that Panama appears among the United States’ migration mitigation plans.
In December 2024, NBC also revealed that Trump, who will be sworn in as president on January 20, would be drawing up a list of countries to which he could deport migrants when their countries of origin refuse to accept them, which includes Panama.
This is an alternative to deporting undocumented immigrants from countries with which the United States does not have good relations, such as Venezuela or Cuba.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for its part, stated that, in accordance with international law, Panama is not obliged to accept deportees of nationalities other than Panamanian.
The interview also revealed Trump’s plans for mass deportation, which would include “collateral arrests” and workplace raids to combat human trafficking and forced labor.
Homan also highlighted the intention to expand the 287(g) program , which allows local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration agents.
“We do not put a price on national security or the lives of victims of human trafficking,” Homan stressed.
Mary O’Grady , a member of the editorial board of The Wall Street Journal , recently questioned former President Donald Trump ‘s statements about reclaiming the Panama Canal, calling them baseless and lacking support.
In her analysis, O’Grady stressed that claims of Chinese control of the canal have no basis in reality.
“The Panama Canal is not under Chinese control. There are no Chinese soldiers in the canal,” the journalist stressed during an editorial report on Fox News .
She also clarified that the fees for crossing the canal are the same for all users, including American ships, and that Panama continues to respect the terms of the treaty signed with the United States since the transfer of the canal in 1999.
O’Grady said the recent increase in canal tolls could be the real reason behind Trump’s criticism. He said some U.S. exporters, particularly in the energy and agricultural sectors, have expressed discontent with the tariff adjustment.
However, he stressed that these decisions were supported by an advisory board that includes a retired admiral of the United States Navy.
“There is a transparent process. The Panama Canal Authority consults with this board before making any increase, and in this case the green light was given,” she explained.
Regarding the possible connection between Trump’s remarks and the ports run by Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa, O’Grady said there was no direct connection to the canal.
“Hong Kong companies have operated these ports for years, and there are three other ports run by companies from the United States, Singapore and Taiwan,” she said.
The National Aeronaval Service (Senan) dealt a hard blow to networks dedicated to drug trafficking, after the seizure on Sunday, January 12, of more than two tons of drugs located in a speedboat near El Porvenir Island in the Guna Yala region .
The vessel was detected after intelligence work by Senan agents, who then proceeded to interdict the vessel that had two outboard motors.
The boat was manned by four men who were placed at the orders of the Drug Prosecutor’s Office of Colón and Guna Yala to be subjected to an indictment hearing for the crime of international drug trafficking.
Sources from Senan confirmed that this is one of the routes used by criminal networks to transport drugs to the coasts of Colón, where the illicit substance is delivered to local gangs that are responsible for introducing them in containers that arrive in transit to the ports that operate in that city.
Local gang members receive a fraction of the delivered drugs as payment for smuggling them into containers that are usually destined for Europe and the United States.
In 2024, security forces seized some 116 tons of drugs in operations carried out nationwide.
Authorities estimate that 80% of the drugs that transit the coasts of Panama come from the area controlled by the Gulf Clan, which also dominates the migrant trafficking routes to Darien.
The Mil Polleras parade was a great success , with the participation of more than 120 delegations from the public and private sectors. These delegations, with joy and pride, have taken part in this cultural event of national identity that is celebrating its 14th anniversary.
The streets of the city of Las Tablas, in the province of Los Santos, have been the scene of the Mil Polleras , remaining full of visitors and beautiful women dressed in impressive pollera’s of vibrant colors, made with different embroidery, shading and openwork techniques, with designs inspired by nature.
These are, made by the skilled hands of Panamanian artisans, highlight the diversity and richness of the country’s traditional costumes.
Polleras, as traditional clothing, represent Panama’s cultural heritage, dazzling with their bright colors and elaborate details. This event not only celebrates Panamanian identity but has also established itself as a major tourist attraction that promotes the country’s cultural heritage through its national costume.
The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino , and the First Lady, Maricel Cohen de Mulino, lead the Mil Polleras parade , an event that takes place this Saturday, January 11, in the city of Las Tablas, province of Los Santos.
This cultural and tourist event starts from the Las Tablas governorate, where the presidential couple participates along with about 100 other delegations that parade in this outstanding celebration.
The first lady wears a beautiful, luxurious pink embroidered pollera, which highlights the artisanal work of talented Panamanian artisans, while the president wore a sombrero and a white shirt, folowing national traditions.
Meanwhile, the president stressed that the Mil Polleras parade represents economic support for entrepreneurs, tourism and people who are dedicated to making clothes and beautiful dresses. He added that, with this cultural activity instituted by law, “Panama grows, tourism gains, and national folklore is projected.” He highlighted the work of the ATP and those who were involved in the development of the parade.
A passport is a powerful document that can open borders for travel to other destinations, but it can also be an obstacle and close doors to citizens of certain nationalities when a visa and other immigration requirements are imposed.
This year, the Henley Passport Index 2025 once again reveals the list of passports that allow you to travel to the most destinations without the need for visas or other additional permits. The ranking, which has been in place for 19 years, places Singapore and Japan in first place in this edition of the most powerful passports in the world.
Singapore’s visa-free travel policy allows 195 countries, Japan’s visa-free travel policy allows 193 countries. Finland is in third place with visa-free access to 192 countries. Third place is also shared by several countries that also allow visa-free access to 192 countries: France, Germany, Italy, South Korea and Spain.
Fourth place is shared by Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden with visa-free access to 191 countries.
Five countries (Belgium, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) occupy fifth place with 190 visa-free destinations.
In Latin America, the most powerful passports are Chile’s, in sixteenth place, and are accepted in 176 countries without a visa; followed by Argentina’s (in 17th place), which allows entry into 172 countries without visa restrictions.
In the case of Panama, the country moved up one step in the 2025 ranking to rank 30th and provides access to 148 countries without the need for a visa.
In 2014, the Panamanian passport was ranked 28th.
Panamanian passports cost 100 dollars for regular citizens, including minors, and 50 dollars for retirees. Naturalized citizens must also pay 100 dollars. And in the case of diplomatic and consular passports, they do not have to pay any amount.
The National Assembly ‘s Committee on Government, Justice and Constitutional Affairs is preparing to discuss, in its first debate, Bill 91, which seeks to prohibit the civil seizure of property and assets of media outlets and of people who report acts of corruption.
The commission members are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, January 14 at 9:00 a.m. in the Manuel Leneé Hall of the Assembly.
The project was presented by the deputy Ernesto Cedeño , from the Movimiento Otro Camino (MOCA) . Cedeño published on his social networks the call to the meeting made by the president of the Government Commission, Luis Eduardo Camacho , from the Realizing Goals (RM) party.
“I will always defend freedom of thought. We will see what the other deputies think,” said Cedeño on Saturday.
The proposal seeks to include a numeral in Article 531 of the Judicial Code , which establishes the rules for precautionary measures in special cases.
The rule proposed by Cedeño says: It is prohibited to decree the seizure of property in the following cases:
- To people who report acts of corruption, arbitrariness or violation of laws.
- To the assets and property of social media.
This same provision would also be contemplated in article 331 of the Civil Procedure Code, which will come into force in 2025.
Judicial harassment and the seizure of assets from journalists and media outlets is a practice that has gained strength in Panama.