Panama's new President José Raúl Mulino has implemented policies regarding migrants crossing the perilous Darien Gap, stating that they will only be repatriated if they consent, potentially easing previous strict immigration measures. While over 212,000 migrants have crossed the Darien this year, a reduction has been observed since Mulino took office, with efforts such as installing barbed wire and urging migrants to reconsider their journey. The US government has agreed to fund repatriation flights for migrants, primarily concerning the United States. Mulino's focus on managing the migration issue highlights the challenges and dangers migrants face in the region, with hopes that Venezuela's upcoming presidential election may impact the flow of Venezuelan migrants through the Darien Gap.