Regional Leaders Agree on Humanitarian-Centered Approach to Current Migration Crisis

On August 11, 2021, Panama hosted leaders from Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Canada, and the U.S. in the first-ever High-Level Ministerial Summit to discuss solutions to the ongoing migration crisis, as thousands of migrants, mostly from Haiti and Cuba, currently wait to cross the Colombia-Panama border en route to the United States. 

The leaders reached consensus that a humanitarian approach is needed to protect the safety and dignity of migrants. That includes sharing with migrants clear and concise information on developed routes and providing assistance that is consistent with international conventions. Panama today provides food, medical aid and shelter to all irregular migrants arriving in the country and has several migration stations to provide care, especially for women, children and those who are victims of human trafficking.