Panama president rules out forcibly repatriating US-bound migrants
Top Stories Tamfitronics Migrants arrive at a reception center in the Darien region of Panama - Copyright AFP/File MARTIN BERNETTIPanama’s new president on Thursday ruled out forcibly repatriating US-bound undocumented migrants who make the dangerous jungle crossing from Colombia, in an apparent softening of his stance.“We cannot put them in prison. We cannot forcibly repatriate them,” Jose Raul Mulino said at a news conference.Last year, more than half a million people braved the so-called Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama, where they faced perilous river crossings and violent criminal gangs that extort, kidnap and abuse them.During his campaign, Mulino vowed to deport migrants and close the key route.After he was sworn in on July 1, the conservative lawyer said his Central American country would no longer be a “transit” point for undocumented migrants.Soon afterward, Panama...
