Human Rights Watch has warned that Colombia and Panama have failed to protect migrants and asylum seekers crossing the dangerous Darien Gap. The rights group called on both countries to ensure the safety and human rights of those making the perilous journey. The route is filled with natural hazards, including insects, snakes, and challenging terrain. Criminal groups also operate in the area, leading to robberies, extortion, and other forms of violence.
Despite the dangers, the Darien Gap has become a popular migration pathway, with more than 520,000 migrants and asylum seekers crossing it last year. This number has more than doubled from the previous year, with the majority of those crossing coming from Venezuela. Many hope to continue northwards to reach the United States. However, the limited presence of the Colombian government in the area has allowed criminal groups like the Gulf Clan to prey on migrants and profit from their vulnerability.
Human Rights Watch called on the Colombian authorities to investigate the Gulf Clan’s role in exploiting migrants and providing more resources for their protection. The rights group also criticized Panama’s “controlled flow” strategy, which restricts asylum seekers’ ability to seek asylum and limits humanitarian protections. HRW urged Panama to modify its strategy and appoint a senior official to oversee the response to the Darien Gap in coordination with the UN and other humanitarian groups.
The report highlighted that most abuses in the Darien Gap, including robberies and sexual violence, occur in Panamanian territory. Panama’s controlled flow strategy involves establishing reception centers and allowing migrants to board buses to Costa Rica. However, HRW criticized the policy for not adequately responding to the immediate needs of migrants or providing opportunities for them to file asylum applications in Panama. The organization called on Panama to revise its strategy and ensure the protection of migrants and asylum seekers in the area.
The Darien Gap remains a treacherous route for migrants and asylum seekers, with many facing violence, exploitation, and other dangers along the way. Human Rights Watch emphasized the need for both Colombia and Panama to step up their efforts to protect those crossing the area and investigate abuses that occur there. The rights group called for greater collaboration between the two countries, as well as international organizations, to ensure the safety and rights of migrants and asylum seekers in the region.
