U.S. Embassy applauds Darien Gap decision

The U.S. Embassy in Panama has applauded the decision of the Government of Panama to keep the Darien Gap closed and not to exploit the possibility of extending a road to the border with Colombia.

David R. Gilmour, Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy, said that keeping the Gap" closed is a benefit to the Panamanian economy, as it provides a natural barrier to various diseases affecting livestock and public health.,

An Embassy note suggests that there are diseases present in South America, that cannot move because they cannot cross the barrier of Darien, while it remains in its natural state.

It referred to the continuing efforts of the U.S. government to eradicate the screwworm from the U.S. border to Darien and "due to the success of joint collaboration, Panama was declared free of the worm in 2006.

The elimination of this disease has brought benefits to the Panamanian economy of about $ 38 million a year, particularly in livestock, says the Embassy.