Panamanian deserter said to lead FARC unit

Colombian Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzón Bueno arrives in Panama, Monday September 30 to meet with his counterpart, José Raúl Mulino, to discuss issues of security along the border shared by the two countries.

"They will meet to discuss a bilateral agenda of security issues," Panama's Ministry of Security said.

Panama and Colombia have, intensified cooperation on border security to control criminal and insurgent activity in the Darién jungle area that is shared by the two countries. The region is said to be the location of Front 57 of the revolutionary group FARC, reportedly led by Panama military deserter Gabriel Asprilla, alias El Pana.