Migrant brawl at reception center in Panama's Darien region destroys shelter
A disturbance among migrants and eventually with Panamanian border police resulted in the destruction of various vehicles and at least 10 modules of a migrant camp in the country’s Darien region
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A disturbance among migrants and eventually with Panamanian border police resulted in the destruction of various vehicles and at least 10 modules of a migrant camp in the country’s Darien region, authorities said Saturday.
At least 44 migrants were arrested in the aftermath at a temporary migrant reception center in San Vicente, where migrants emerging from the treacherous Darien jungle that covers the Colombia-Panama border register with Panamanian authorities.
More than 500,000 migrants crossed the Darien last year as they migrated north toward the United States, more than doubling the previous year’s record.
Friday night’s melee began as a fight between two women over a tent and devolved from there, ultimately involving some 250 migrants, Panama’s Security Ministry said in a statement. Authorities did not report any injuries.
“These violent acts carried the consequence of serious impacts on this shelter,” the statement said.
From San Vicente migrants board buses that carry them across Panama to the border with Costa Rica.
The flow of some 2,000 migrants daily through the Darien was cut off earlier this week after police in Panama arrested some of the boat captains who ferry migrants to the point where they begin hiking.
Colombian prosecutors said the captains worked for tourism companies that were a front for transporting migrants at exorbitant prices.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.