What are the current challenges facing Venezuelan migrants at the Panama-Costa Rica border and how do political tensions between Panama and Venezuela affect migration policies?

Venezuelan migrants are currently stranded at Panama's border with Costa Rica, blocked by Panamanian riot police and unable to continue their journey. This situation stems from deteriorating diplomatic relations between Panama and Venezuela following Panama's questioning of the fairness of Venezuelan elections that kept President Nicolas Maduro in power. The migrants, who originally made the dangerous crossing through the Darien jungle into Panama, now face potential repatriation. Panama's security ministry has implemented new procedures requiring biometric criminal record checks in Costa Rica before migrants can be bused back to Panama for deportation. This crisis highlights how political disputes between nations can directly impact vulnerable migrant populations, with U.S. foreign policy and deportation flights to Panama further complicating the regional migration dynamics.