A trilateral meeting was held on April 11, 2023, between the governments of Colombia, Panama, and the U.S. in Panama City, Republic of Panama. The main topic of discussion was joint efforts to address border security and migratory challenges in the Darien. The three parties reaffirmed their commitment to working together to coordinate actions that will address the humanitarian risks in the jungle zones caused by irregular migration. The following three points were accepted as the beginning of a solution:
- Combat human smuggling and trafficking networks in the Darien in land and maritime corridors where vulnerable people die and are exploited.
- Open new and flexible lawful pathways to reduce irregular migration.
- Launch a plan to reduce poverty, improve access to national services, create jobs, and promote sustainable economic opportunities for border communities in northern Colombia and Panama through international partnerships with financial institutions, civil society, and the private sector.
The U.S. government has proposed the creation of Safe Mobility Offices to identify and categorize reasons for irregular migration. The goal is to channel eligible migrants from Colombia to the United States through lawful pathways and prevent them from taking risks. Safe Mobility Offices will be established in several countries in the region, and the U.S. government is working with Colombia to implement this initiative promptly.
The Safe Mobility Offices will direct migrants from Haiti, Cuba, and Venezuela toward lawful pathways, and the initiative’s start date will be established soon. These offices in Colombia will be jointly managed and welcomed within the framework of the Declaration on Migration and Protection endorsed at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, California, on June 10, 2022. The initiative aims to strengthen the respect for the human rights of migrants.
Both the U.S. and Colombian governments encourage people to take advantage of the expanded lawful pathways and reaffirm their commitment to expanding additional lawful pathways for Colombians. This includes temporary work visas and expanded family reunification, creating more opportunities for Colombian Americans to reunite and access employment in the United States. The United States and Colombia are committed to addressing the hemispheric challenge of irregular migration.
