The Darién Jungle, located on the border between Colombia and Panama, faces environmental damage considered “irreversible” due to the unprecedented increase in migrants crossing it on their way to the United States, according to statements by the Minister of Security of Panama, Juan Manuel Pino.
Pino, along with his Costa Rican counterpart, Mario Zamora, visited the Darién region and expressed concern about the environmental impact. This jungle, with a natural border of 266 km and an area of 575,000 hectares, has become the obligatory corridor for thousands of migrants seeking to reach the United States from South America, crossing Central America and Mexico without a visa.
So far this year, around 390,000 migrants have entered Panama through this jungle, a figure significantly higher than the 248,000 registered in all of 2022, according to official data.
Minister Pino warned of the serious long-term implications of this environmental damage on future generations and on indigenous communities that are affected by human trafficking.
The passage of migrants has left a trail of garbage in the jungle and along river banks, including boots, plastic bottles, underwear, toothbrushes, and diapers. The ministers’ visit also revealed the deterioration of natural conditions in the area due to the intense human flow.
The majority of the migrants are Venezuelans, although there are also Ecuadorians, Haitians, Chinese, Vietnamese, Afghans, and people from African countries. In addition to environmental challenges, migrants face significant risks as criminal gangs engage in robbery, kidnapping, and sexual violence in the region.
The ministers announced the visit of the presidents of Costa Rica and Panama to Darién on October 7 to coordinate joint actions and address this growing migration crisis and its impact on the environment.