Tempers flared in the Darien region of Panama as a group of migrants brawled, resulting in the destruction of several pieces of property, including a migrant shelter near the infamous Darien Gap, the treacherous stretch of jungle between Panama and Colombia where migrants often cross on their way to the US-Mexico border.

Panama's border police did manage to intervene. However, the brawl between the migrants resulted in the destruction of various vehicles and at least 10 modules of a migrant camp that acted as a temporary migrant reception center in San Vicente, Panama.

According to the Associated Press, the migrant shelter is where migrants who emerge from the treacherous Darien Gap register with Panamanian authorities. At least 44 migrants were arrested following the brawl, with reports indicating that at least 250 migrants were involved in the fight, per the Panamanian Security Ministry.

Security officials stated that the migrant riot began when two women argued over a tent. The situation then devolved from there, with Panamanian authorities saying in a statement, "These violent acts carried the consequence of serious impacts on this shelter."

After crossing the Darien Gap, migrants sign up in San Vicente and stay at the shelter there. After that, many of them board buses that carry them to the border with Costa Rica.

Panama's Arrest of Boat Captains in the Darien Gap Strands More Than 3,000 Migrants

Just like Panama, the country on the other side of the Darien Gap, Colombia has been trying to stop migrants from crossing over from the Darien Gap as the migrant crisis continues. One of their boldest moves was the arrest of two boat captains, and this seemed to have worked for now. This has led boat companies to suspend their activities in ferrying migrants across to Panama.

READ MORE: Panama: 5 Dead, 1 Missing After Migrant Smuggling Boat Capsizes

Without the boat captains leading migrants across the waters across the jungle, these migrants are now stranded in two remote Caribbean towns. Over 3,000 migrants are said to now be staying in these towns, and officials are afraid that the bottleneck could cause a public health emergency, according to The Guardian.

One of these towns affected is Necocli, where approximately 1,000 people are now waiting for the boat services to resume. "Necoclí is a city with limited capacity," an official told The Guardian. "We're trying to mediate, because obviously we're worried that having so many people could ultimately end up affecting public order."

Sexual Abuse Rising in Darien Gap, Says Doctors Without Borders

Meanwhile, there are increasing reports of sexual violence for migrants crossing the Darien Gap, and this is all thanks to a lack of action from the two governments that share the treacherous stretch of jungle.

Doctors Without Borders revealed on its official website that in just one week in February 2024, their medical teams "treated 113 people - including nine children - after they were sexually assaulted by criminal groups operating in the Darién."

In a statement, the humanitarian organization called on authorities in Panama to act, saying, "We see a complete lack of action to address the situation... We renew our call to the Panamanian authorities to redouble their efforts to protect the most vulnerable people."

READ MORE: Panama Slams Colombia Over Inaction in Stemming the Flow of Migrants at the Darien Gap

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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