Migration in Latin America and the Caribbean is evolving in an increasingly complex context, driven by factors such as violence, economic changes, migration policies, increased returns, deportations, and the impacts of natural disasters, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated.
The movements, it affirmed in a report, no longer follow traditional patterns; “they are now more diverse, multidirectional, with emerging routes and increasing pressure on border areas and urban centers.” As an example, it cited the increase in reverse migration, that is, from north to south.
It added that 78.7 million migrants, both regular and irregular, currently reside in the region, with the United States as the main destination.
According to the report, between 2024 and 2025, more than 1.2 million people crossed the Darién Gap in Panama; the majority were of Venezuelan origin, followed by Colombians and Ecuadorians, and to a lesser extent, Chinese, Haitian, and Nepalese.
However, the IOM highlighted that changes in US immigration policy in January 2025 contributed to an increase in reverse migration, with flows shifting from northward to southward.
It noted that, according to administrative data published by the Panamanian government, 13,425 travelers were registered leaving Panama for Colombia between February 1st and July 1st, 2025. The demographic profile consisted of 80 percent adults, mostly men, and the remainder children and adolescents.
In its report on the outlook for the next three years—including 2026—the IOM detailed that the most prominent trend in intraregional migration continues to be the movement of migrants and refugees from Venezuela.
It noted that 6.87 million Venezuelans reside in Latin American and Caribbean countries, the majority in Colombia (2.8 million), followed by Peru (1.6 million). They have also chosen Brazil, Chile, and Ecuador as their destinations.
The organization’s report highlighted that in the region, 14.5 million internal displacements were reported in 2024, primarily due to natural disasters—hurricanes accounted for more than 80 percent—while those linked to conflict and violence reached almost 1.5 million, of which more than 60 percent occurred in Haiti.
Original article by Jessica Xantomila and Jarde Laureles, La Jornada, May 4th, 2026.
Translated by Schools for Chiapas.