Public Ministry Orders to Destroy and Evacuate the Darién Camp are Looming

The clandestine migrant camp in the Dos Bocas sector, in the province of Darién, which was run by a group of Panamanian natives, negotiated with the irregular passage of people and operated illegally since August 2022 with the consent of the regional authorities in the area.  This was reported by Héctor De Sedas, deputy commissioner of operations of the National Border Service (Senafront) noting that crimes against humanity such as the exploitation of migrants are being investigated.  Senafront indicates that the irregular mobility of migrants is used by drug trafficking and other criminal organizations. The Clan del Golfo participates in all irregular operations in Darién. “Since August 2022, the chief general issued a resolution allowing some people to access this camp to illegally trade with migrants,” said De Sedas. 

He explained that in July of this year, Senafront held a meeting with the Ministry of Government requesting a consultancy to evaluate the legal situation of those notes issued through resolutions by the General Congress of that region [Emberá], and it was estimated that no authority is above the Constitution.  The deputy commissioner said that the general director of Senafront, Jorge Gobea, informed the communities that were in the clandestine camp on Saturday, August 31, that the site was operating illegally and that they should be evicted.  De Sedas said that the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which is conducting the investigation, will order that the camp be dismantled, destroyed and evacuated, so that it is no longer used for illegal marketing practices taking advantage of people’s migration.  “They sell absolutely everything to profit from migrants,” he said.  De Sedas said that the participation of the Clan del Golfo has been detected in all crimes related to migrants at the border. “The transportation route is shared by drug trafficking and migration,” confirmed the deputy commissioner.