José Raúl Mulino sworn in as Panama’s new president, vows migration crackdown
NBCJUN 2024
US, Panama Sign Deal to Curb Migration Through Darien Gap
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The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This agreement comes at a critical time for the Biden administration, which has sought to demonstrate strong action to secure the country's southern border and discourage potential migrants. As the border issue is ranked as one of the most important topics in the upcoming November election, this deal — if successful — may help Biden.
Establishment-critical narrative
At first, this policy may seem like a good idea. Yet, it is doomed to fail and force vulnerable people further into the hands of human trafficking gangs. Desperate migrants flee either poverty or persecution, so they are already willing to take significant risks on their journey to the US border. Blocking this route will only drive them further underground.