Attachments
REGIONAL CONTEXT
During this period, countries under UNHCR’s MultiCountry Office in Panama experienced policy changes, including some impacting refugees and asylum-seekers.
Several countries also faced adverse weather conditions.
Throughout these challenges, UNHCR provided essential assistance to forcibly displaced and host communities.
Belize hosted the seventh Annual Meeting of the Comprehensive Regional Framework for Protection and Solutions (MIRPS). UNHCR’s High Commissioner attended and praised Belize’s efforts to enhance protection policies during its pro-tempore presidency. The country handed over the presidency to Costa Rica to lead the regional response in 2025. Belize’s Amnesty Programme provided 492 asylum-seekers with permanent residency.
In December, Aruba held general elections for the 21 members of the new Parliament sworn in January 2025. In Curaçao, general elections will take place on 21 March 2025 to elect the members of the Parliament.
In Trinidad and Tobago, the government extended the Work Permit exemption for registered Venezuelan nationals until 31 December 2025. This extension allows Venezuelans previously granted work permit exemptions to continue working for an additional year.
In Suriname, authorities announced general elections on May 25, 2025. It will be the first time Suriname uses a nationwide voting system instead of the district-based approach.
Hurricanes Oscar and Rafael severely impacted Cuba within three weeks of each other. Hurricane Oscar affected eastern Cuba, damaging 14,300 homes and disrupting essential services for 1.4 million people. The country had experienced a prolonged nationwide blackout days before the hurricane's landfall. Shortly after,
Hurricane Rafael, a Category 3 storm, struck western Cuba, including Havana, affecting 3.5 million people and worsening power outages. Cuba was also struck by two earthquakes of 6.0 and 6.7 magnitude on the Richter scale. Essential supplies and core-relief items, including kitchen sets, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, solar lamps, and sleeping mats were provided to the host community and refugee population affected.
Tensions rose after Guyana announced plans to renovate Camp Tigri’s airstrip, known as Camp Jaguar, in the disputed New River Triangle between Guyana and Suriname. Although internationally recognized as part of Guyana, Suriname claims the area. Officials from both countries met and discussed policies to improve social services, infrastructure, and support for remote vulnerable communities while advancing bilateral cooperation.
Nicaragua's National Assembly discussed several legislative measures, including the approval of reforms affecting over 100 articles of the Constitution. The initiative allows the presidency to oversee all branches of the government. The vice-presidency, held by President Ortega’s wife, would be elevated to co-presidency, and the presidential term would be extended to six years with the option for indefinite reelection. The Assembly also reformed the General Law of Migration and amended the National Criminal Code to strengthen border controls. The Assembly approved a law regulating cooperation from organizations, agencies, and diplomatic missions, mandating that all must align with national priorities and plans, overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In Panama, the Government issued Executive Decree No.194 of 25 October, outlining penalties for foreigners who enter the country bypassing official immigration control points. For those entering irregularly through Darien, penalties are set from USD 300 to USD 1,000. This year marked the first significant decrease in irregular entries since 2020, with a 42 per cent reduction from the 2023 figures. In November, heavy rains affected 6,300 people nationwide, causing 12 deaths and overflowing rivers near Lajas Blancas Temporary Reception Centre (ETRM), leading to overcrowded spaces.