The presidents of Costa Rica and Panama agreed this Friday to provide 200 buses that will be used to transport migrants coming through Panama’s Darien forest to the Nicaraguan border in Peñas Blancas.
According to Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chávez, as quoted by La Nazion, the migrants will be housed and transferred to existing units at the Temporary Care Center for Migrants (Cadem) in Costa Rica’s border area. White for Penas.
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The authorities intend to ferry around 2,000 or 3,000 people a day through this mode of transport and the new operation will start this Monday.
Migration data control
Officials agreed to use cross-checking of migrant data taken in Panama to facilitate migrant transfers.
In addition, foreign nationals will be transferred directly to Costa Rica without passing through the Paso Canos immigration area.
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“The idea is that they last a minimum amount of time. What does that mean? First of all, they’re not going to leave Cadet, the newcomers aren’t going to leave. There’s going to be a quick assessment of the exchange lists of Panama and Costa Rica. Get on the new bus, pay, and God be with you on your way north.” The Costa Rican president explained.
The cost of the trip is 40 dollars
According to President Chávez, a ticket from Catem to Peñas Blancas costs $40 and in the case of migrants who cannot afford it, public resources and assistance from the international community will be used.
Annually, the exchange of immigrants costs between 4 million and 5 million dollars.
Both the Costa Rican and Panamanian presidents will seek to discuss logistics and funding with all countries in the region receiving migrant arrivals.
They will check the profile of the migrant
For his part, Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo has promised that he hopes to transfer 100% of migrants entering the country, unless there is a health emergency.
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With this move, they hope to help migrants in less-than-humane situations. He assured that 100 buses are already available to start the transfer.
The President promised that the transport units will have international security and will check the profile of each migrant. “They are pre-verified buses, the driver is pre-verified. “It’s a well-ordered process,” Cordiso said.
