PANAMA CITY, Panama: 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.
In 2023, over half a million people braved the Darien Gap, where they face risky river crossings, wild animals and violent criminal gangs that kidnap, extort and abuse them.
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.
