Panama launches operation in Darien jungle focusing on organized crime, migrant smugglers

NICANOR, Panama — Panama launched a safety operation alongside its shared border with Colombia on Friday to fight legal gangs and migrant smugglers concerned in record-setting migration by the perilous Darien Gap this 12 months.

Security officers mentioned Operation Shield is a part of the settlement reached with the governments of Colombia and the United States in April to cease the move of migrants by the border’s jungle-clad mountains.

Panama will use beforehand U.S.-donated helicopters to extend aerial patrols of the largely roadless area, however careworn that it was a Panamanian operation. The authorities may also ship extra particular border police models into the realm to attempt to root out the legal gangs.

Officials dismissed any suggestion of closing the border. It was the primary seen instance of the efforts promised by the three governments.

Last 12 months, practically 250,000 folks crossed the Darien Gap, practically double the 133,000 who crossed in 2021, and a brand new file. That improve was pushed largely by Venezuelans, who accounted for some 60% of the migrants crossing there final 12 months.