PANAMA CITY, Panama: The governments of Colombia and Panama Friday denied accusations by Human Rights Watch (HRW) that they had not done enough to protect migrants crossing the lawless jungle between the two states, and asked for world support to tackle the deepening crisis.
“The challenge of migration transcends our two countries… and we do not accept that it is said that we have abandoned the population in Darien, because that is not the case,” Foreign Minister of Colombia Gilberto Murillo said in Panama City.
“Colombia and Panama have made a great effort.”
Last year, over half a million people braved the Darien Gap, where they faced risky river crossings, wild animals and violent criminal gangs that kidnap, extort and abuse them.
Janaina Tewaney, Foreign Minister of Panama, said his country had taken note of the report “but would also like the efforts of both countries to be recognized.”
“These organizations that prepare these reports should also help us request greater support from the international community,” said Tewaney.
Murillo echoed these comments, saying “We cannot do it alone.”
Human Rights Watch Wednesday accused Panama and Colombia of failing to do enough to protect hundreds of thousands of US-bound migrants crossing the dense, lawless jungle between the two states.
Juanita Goebertus, HRW’s Americas director, in a statement said: “Whatever the reason for their journey, migrants and asylum seekers crossing the Darien Gap are entitled to basic safety and respect for their human rights along the way”.
She demanded Colombian and Panamanian authorities do more to ensure the rights of migrants and asylum seekers crossing their countries.
Despite the dangers, the Darien Gap has become a key corridor for migrants hoping to reach the US.
Last year, a record 520,000 people crossed the jungle, according to the Panama government.
Colombia “lacks a clear strategy” to protect those crossing the Darien gap, with limited government presence leaving them exposed to the Gulf Clan, a drug trafficking cartel which is a major player in the migrant business, said HRW in its 110-page report.
Panama, meanwhile, focuses more on restricting movement and rushing migrants through to Costa Rica, rather than “addressing their needs or ensuring that they can exercise their right to seek asylum.”
According to the NGO, in both Colombia and Panama, authorities were not doing enough to investigate and punish violations such as pervasive sexual abuse or look for missing people.
Human Rights Watch said more than 1,500 cases of sexual violence have been reported in the Darien Gap since 2021, but the true number is likely much higher.
Dozens, perhaps hundreds, have died trying to cross or are missing in the area.
It also found that efforts to ensure access to essential food, water and health services were “inadequate”.
The release of the report comes after medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) criticized an increase in sexual violence against migrants in February, accusing Panama of not doing enough to protect migrants.
According to Doctors Without Borders, an average of 16 women were raped every day in February.
In response, the Panamanian government suspended MSF’s humanitarian activities in the Darien Gap, accusing it of not sharing data on alleged victims.
The government also accused international aid groups of encouraging illegal migration by distributing maps to help migrants cross the jungle.
Goebertus also said that Colombia and Panama should not be left alone to respond to the challenges of the gap and called on foreign governments to support efforts to support migrants.
