Martinelli: Immigration measures are hitting tourism

Achieving Goals presidential candidate, Ricardo Martinelliquestioned the measures introduced this week by the Panamanian government to help deal with the migration crisis facing the country.

In Martinelli’s opinion, these actions deal a death blow to the now almost extinct tourism industry.

The former president warns that the reduction from 90 to 15 days is increasing 500 to 1000 dollars Requiring tourists to enter Panama is not a solution or a way to combat illegal migrant trafficking, but it will help destroy the tourism industry.

“I think there are other, more effective ways to stop the illegal migrant trade without ending tourism,” he commented.

Businessmen from the tourism sector also agree with Martinelli acknowledged his concern about these measures.

“We are worried and angry… They fined us endlessly. The business hangs in the balance. They don’t do promotion, we don’t have cheap flights. They want us to go bankrupt. Do you think immigration consulted with the tourism board or the private sector unions before publishing that statement? Obviously no,” said businesswoman Úrsula Kiener.

On Friday, the director of the National Immigration Service, Samira Gozaine, said they had discovered people using official channels to enter Panama, including extracontinental migrants mobilized by organized crime.

He also stated that in recent days they have noticed an increasing use of false documentation. He explained in the meantime that the measures It will not apply to all tourists.

For his part, Minister Juan Manuel Pino pointed out that this immigration is “no longer human”, but a problem of Panama’s national security.

More than 350,000 migrants, mostly Venezuelans, have crossed the Darien Gap this year. During September, the figure already exceeds 17,000.