BTN News: In a sad event, ten migrants drowned when a river suddenly flooded in a remote part of Panama. This area is near the Caribbean coast and close to the border with Colombia. The National Border Service (Senafront) reported this sad news on Wednesday. They pointed out the dangers that migrants face on their journey.
Senafront explained that the bodies were found near the community of Carreto in the Guna Yala indigenous area. The people drowned because of a sudden rise in the river water, called a “headwater.” Senafront also said that organized crime groups use local helpers to guide migrants through dangerous paths, putting their lives at great risk.
Dangerous Path of Migration Claims More Lives in Panama’s Dense Jungle
The report did not say if the migrants crossed the Darién Gap, a well-known route for those trying to reach the United States, or if they came by boat. The nationalities of the victims are also unknown. This sad event shows the ongoing dangers faced by migrants in this thick and risky jungle.
In 2023, more than 500,000 people crossed the 575,000-hectare jungle, despite the dangers from fast rivers, wild animals, and criminal gangs. Most of these migrants were from Venezuela, but many also came from Ecuador, Colombia, Haiti, and China.
The Hidden Toll of Dangerous Migration Routes in the Darién Gap
Panamanian officials have trouble counting the number of deaths on this dangerous journey because the area is hard to reach. Sometimes, wild animals eat the bodies. Jonathan Santana, from the Ombudsman’s Office, expressed sadness over these deaths. He said migrants need to know about these dangers, especially given the risky border they must cross.
Panama Government Closes Illegal Paths and Creates Safe Route for Migrants
Recently, the Panamanian government closed many paths used by migrants in the jungle. They set up a “humanitarian corridor” to guide migrants safely to shelters run by groups like the Red Cross, UNICEF, and UNHCR. This corridor also aims to stop criminal gangs from attacking the migrants.
But this plan was criticized by Colombian President Gustavo Petro. He said that measures like “barbed wire in the jungle” would only cause more drownings at sea. Rafael RodrÃguez, head of the Association of Naturalized Residents of Panama, agreed. He said migrants are so desperate for better lives that they will take these dangerous journeys, even with the risks of deportation or death.
Panama and United States Agreement to Reduce Migrant Flow Through Dangerous Areas
To reduce the number of migrants, Panama and the United States signed an agreement on July 1. The United States promised $6 million to help deport migrants who cross the Darién. Marlen Piñeiro, from Homeland Security, said these deportations would start soon using both charter and commercial flights.
However, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said he would not force migrants to go back. He said the goal is to help migrants reach their intended destination, which is often the United States.
Environmental Cleanup Efforts in Darién Jungle Due to Waste Left by Migrants
Besides addressing the migrant crisis, Panama and the United States plan to clean up the waste left by migrants in the Darién. This jungle covers 575,000 hectares and has been affected by the flow of migrants. Mulino said each migrant leaves about 2.2 kilograms of trash in this thick and diverse jungle.
Panama’s Environment Minister, Juan Carlos Navarro, expressed sadness over the migrants’ deaths. He stressed the need to stop the illegal and cruel trafficking through the Darién. Navarro said it is urgent to restore order and clean the environment, mourning the loss of “ten more lives due to illegal and cruel trafficking.”
Conclusion
The tragic drowning of ten migrants in Panama’s remote Caribbean area shows the severe dangers and desperate conditions driving people to take such risky journeys. As governments and international groups work to manage and reduce these risks, the human and environmental toll of migration through the Darién remains a serious issue.
