Human Rights Watch has raised concerns about the safety of migrants crossing the Darien jungle on their way to the U.S. The organization highlighted the vulnerability of migrants to robberies and sexual violence in the region, calling on Colombia and Panama to take action to protect them.
Last year, over 520,000 people made the treacherous journey through the dense rainforest, with many paying guides and smugglers hundreds of dollars to lead them along dangerous trails and river crossings. The Colombian side of the Darien is controlled by the Gulf Clan, a drug trafficking group that profits from migrants crossing into Panama.
The report also mentioned the increasing cases of sexual violence in the region, with Doctors Without Borders treating 113 migrants for symptoms of sexual violence in just one week. The organization expressed outrage at the impunity with which criminal groups operate in the area.
Human Rights Watch urged Panama to allow humanitarian groups like Doctors Without Borders to operate without restrictions and criticized the government for policies that limit the movements of migrants. The organization called for a modification of Panama’s “controlled flow” strategy to ensure the rights of migrants seeking asylum and those continuing their journey.
The situation in the Darien Gap highlights the need for coordinated efforts between Colombia and Panama to address the humanitarian crisis and protect the rights of migrants making the perilous journey through the region.