Assault, rape and robbery are the grim risk of migrant journeys in various parts of the world, but aid groups working in the Darien Gap say they have documented an extra-ordinary spike rarely seen outside of war zones.
WLRN reports that most of the attacks are happening on the Panamanian side of the jungle. The jungle which is between Panama and Colombia has, in the past three years, become one of the world’s busiest migrant routes.
Migrants do not mind having to climb mountains and crisscross roads in their bid to reach the United States.
Long-established aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF say the attacks are organized and exceptionally cruel. Perpetrators beat victims, take food. Even baby formula is not spared. They then leave the people battered and without food in the forest.
The assaults often involve cases in which scores of women are violated in a single event.
Doctors Without Borders recorded 328 reports of sexual violence between January and February. In the whole of 2023, 676 were recorded.
Panama’s border police have been accused by several human rights organizations. The organization is charged with security in the jungle. Although its officers patrol the forest, they are accused of failing to protect migrants and allowing perpetrators to commit crimes.
