Panama, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic ask for U.S. help on migration

FILE PHOTO: Migrants are seen at temporary shelter during acting U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan's visit in the village of La Penita, Panama August 23, 2019. REUTERS/Erick Marciscano

PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - The presidents of Panama, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic on Wednesday asked for U.S. assistance in stemming the flow of thousands of migrants crossing the dangerous jungles that divide Panama and Colombia as they make their way to the United States.

Panama's President Laurentino Cortizo hosted a meeting with Costa Rica's Carlos Alvarado Quesada and Dominican Republic's Luis Abinader in Panama City on Wednesday, where they discussed the burgeoning migrant crisis.