Panama Slams Colombia Over Inaction in Stemming the Flow of Migrants at the Darien Gap

More and more migrants from South America are crossing the Darien Gap, a dangerous jungle between Colombia and Panama, in record numbers, as Panama's top immigration official blasted Colombia over its inaction in stopping migrants from crossing.

Panamanian Immigration Service Director Samira Gozaine revealed that between 2,600 and 2,800 migrants have been moving through the treacherous jungle each day. This is higher than 2022 where it saw 700 migrants cross the roadless parts of the jungle each day.

Back in April, Panama and Colombia agreed with the United States that they will crack down on the smuggling rings that smuggle people across the Darien Gap.

However, Gozaine said that Colombia is not doing its part, accusing the South American country of not sharing information and getting involved in joint actions against the human smugglers, according to the Associated Press.

"Instead of getting better, it has gotten worse, in spite of the negotiations with Colombia," said the Panamanian immigration official. "There has been no agreement, no information sharing, nor any effort that might help Panama manage the unregulated flow, which has grown considerably in recent days."

Gozaine continued blasting Colombia, saying, "Unfortunately, we have not been able to reach any agreement with Colombia, which continues to indiscriminately send us not only people from other countries but Colombians as well."

UN Stresses Need for Safe Migration Pathways as More Migrants Cross Darien Gap

The Darien Gap not only connects Panama and Colombia but also the continents of North and South America. As more migrants seek to enter the United States, the United Nations is stressing that there is a need for safer pathways for migrants to travel.

The UN International Organization for Migration and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees are working with national authorities, host communities, and other organizations in the humanitarian efforts in the Darien Gap. These UN organizations found that there is a need for a collaborative, comprehensive, and regional approach in order to "better respond to humanitarian and protection needs of people on the move in Latin America and the Caribbean."

The UN has projected that if the current pace of crossings keeps up, as many as 400,000 migrants may cross the gap by the end of the year.

Why Is the Darien Gap Dangerous?

The Darien Gap has been described as an inhospitable stretch of the Central American jungle, yet many still brave the jungle in their desperate struggle to reach the United States.

Most of those who cross are from Venezuela, though there are also from other countries like Haiti, Cuba, and even as far away as China, Iran, and India. These migrants usually fly to Venezuela or other countries that do not require a visa before starting their trek to the US.

Their real test is the Darien Gap though, as migrants face not just steep mountains, tangled forests, and raging rivers, but also wild animals and criminal groups. The latter often extort these migrants and sexually assault some of them, according to Al Jazeera News.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: CBS Reports | Darien Gap: Desperate Journey to America - CBS News