Coyotes in Panama are capitalizing on the closure of the US border by offering return journeys for migrants, with the costs and details of these new routes highlighted.
In recent weeks, a notable shift in migrant routes has been observed, with 20 to 30 migrants boarding a boat off the coast of Panama each day, but instead of heading to the United States, they are traveling south. This change in direction is unprecedented, as explained by ‘El Zurdo’, a smuggler with a decade of experience who remarked that he never anticipated this level of retraction in migrant flow towards the US due to border policies.
Starting in mid-February, shortly after Donald Trump's inauguration, 'El Zurdo' has begun to promote these 'return journeys' through social media platforms like WhatsApp. He charges around 550 dollars per person for the trip to Necoclí, a small town in Colombia's Urabá Gulf, which covers modest accommodation and meals along the way. This price point underscores the potential for a lucrative operation for smugglers as traditional routes towards the US become increasingly difficult to navigate.
The emergence of this new route not only reflects the immediate impact of policy changes under the new US administration but also highlights a larger trend where coyotes adapt their operational strategies in response to fluctuating migration patterns. The implications of these shifts could mean that some migrants are now seeking alternative paths that avoid perilous journeys northward while also creating new challenges for authorities managing migration flows.
