- Panamanian authorities killed two criminals who were robbing migrants in Darien. Main photo: EFE
Special forces units of the Panamanian border police killed two criminals who were robbing migrants as they crossed the Darien jungle, which connects Panama and Colombia.
The incident occurred on September 11 during a patrol that the agents were carrying out in a sector of the Emberá Wounaan ethnic group region, where there was a group of people “who opened fire when they were told to stop,” the National Border Service (Senafront) said in a statement on September 12.
In the confrontation, a man with indigenous features was killed while carrying a .22-caliber rifle with a shortened barrel. Later, during a patrol near the site and after hearing “calls for help,” a second confrontation occurred in which another criminal carrying a 16-caliber shotgun was killed.
The action took place within the framework of Operation Sapur 11, which according to the letter, is part of the Darien Campaign, focused on the protection of migrants and the prevention of crimes in the humanitarian corridor.
Robberies of migrants in the Darien jungle
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Robberies of migrants in the jungle are common, with frequent accounts of how they are attacked with firearms or machetes, sometimes forcing them to strip naked to check that they do not have hidden money.
In April 2024, one of those migrant victims explained to the EFE news agency how her group was intercepted on “a hill” by a group of armed hooded men. She recalled that the men asked them for $100 each.
“Whoever didn’t give him the money had to hand over the phone, if it wasn’t an iPhone, no, or if it was a woman, he had to stay there, possibly to abuse her,” he said.
For its part, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) assured, before the Panamanian authorities banned them from continuing to provide medical care in the country, that they treated more than 1,300 people for sexual violence in Darien between April 2021 and January 2024.
Decrease in migrants crossing the Darien
More than 244,200 migrants have crossed the Darien jungle so far in 2024, a decrease of 110,056 compared to the same period in 2023, which represents a drop of 31%, according to figures released this week by the Panamanian government.
Panamanian authorities estimate that some 320,000 migrants will cross the jungle in 2024, a 38% reduction compared to the historic record of 520,000 who crossed last year. They link this scenario to the new migration control policies implemented by President Raúl Mulino, whose term began on July 1.
The new Panamanian government has implemented several measures to stop the migratory flow through Darien, considering it a humanitarian crisis, but also a security crisis.
Among them is the installation of “perimeter barriers” (barbed wire fences) about 4.7 kilometers in Darien, where there were at least five unauthorized crossings or trails, to “channel” the flow of migrants through a “humanitarian corridor.”
Other measures include an agreement with the United States to finance return flights for migrants. So far, at least six flights have been carried out with groups of approximately 130 people to Colombia (5), Ecuador (1) and one to India with 130 migrants.
With information from EFE.
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#Criminals #robbed #migrants #Darien #killed
2024-09-13 17:50:40
Darien Gap
Darien Jungle: A Deadly Route for Migrants
The Darien Jungle, a remote and treacherous region that connects Panama and Colombia, has become a bottleneck for migrants seeking to reach the United States. The journey through this jungle is fraught with danger, as migrants are exposed to risks including falling from cliffs, drowning in rivers, as well as robbery, kidnapping, and rape [[2]]. The situation has become so dire that it has been referred to as the “Bottleneck of the Americas” [[1]].
Recently, Panamanian authorities killed two criminals who were robbing migrants in the Darien jungle. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of robberies and violence against migrants in the jungle. Migrants have been attacked with firearms or machetes, and sometimes forced to strip naked to check that they do not have hidden money [[3]]. In some cases, women have been subjected to sexual abuse.
The Panamanian border police, as part of Operation Sapur 11, are working to protect migrants and prevent crimes in the humanitarian corridor. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of this crisis and ensure the safety of migrants.
The Darien Jungle is a notoriously difficult terrain, making it easy for criminal groups to operate with impunity. These groups often extort and sexually assault migrants, taking advantage of their vulnerability [[3]]. The situation is further complicated by the lack of infrastructure and resources in the region, making it difficult for authorities to respond to emergencies.
In April 2024, a migrant victim shared her harrowing experience with the EFE news agency. She recalled how her group was intercepted by armed hooded men who demanded $100 each. Those who didn’t comply were forced to hand over their phones, and women were subjected to abuse.
The Darien Jungle has become a symbol of the desperation and danger that many migrants face as they seek to escape poverty, violence, and persecution in their home countries. It is a stark reminder of the need for a comprehensive approach to migration, one that addresses the root causes of migration and provides safe and legal pathways for those seeking to start a new life.
the Darien Jungle is a deadly route for migrants, where robberies, violence, and sexual abuse are rampant. It is the responsibility of governments, international organizations, and civil society to work together to address this crisis and ensure the safety and dignity of migrants.
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