The Darien Gap is a 60-mile stretch of dense swamp land and jungle that separates North and South America, preventing the completion of the Pan-American Highway. Despite being one of the most dangerous areas in the world, thousands of people make the treacherous journey through the Gap every year.
The Harsh Conditions of the Darien Gap
The harsh conditions of the Darien Gap make it a formidable obstacle for those seeking to cross it. Rolling hills wrapped in rainforest, rivers that swell and flood, and the presence of aggressive and highly venomous animals such as the bushmaster snake, make the journey through the Gap a nightmare. Despite these conditions, thousands of people still attempt the journey every year.
The Two Groups of People Who Brave the Darien Gap
The people who brave the Darien Gap fall into two main groups: outlaws and migrants. Outlaws include militant groups, gang members, and drug smugglers who use the Gap as a route to smuggle illegal goods, such as cocaine. Migrants, on the other hand, come from South American and Caribbean countries, such as Venezuela and Haiti, in search of a better life and flee towards North America. The journey through the Gap is a dangerous one, and many migrants become victims of the various dangers that lurk in the Gap.
The Lack of Ferry Crossings and Roadways Through the Darien Gap
Despite the thousands of people who make the journey through the Darien Gap every year, there are no ferries or roads that cross the Gap. The last ferry to operate between Colombia and Panama went out of business in 2018 and as of 2022, there are no plans to build a road through the Gap. This lack of transportation options makes the journey through the Gap even more dangerous and difficult.
The History of the Pan-American Highway
The idea for the Pan-American Highway was first proposed in 1890 at a meeting in Washington DC. Initially, the idea was for a Pan-American Railway, but after Panama declared independence, the idea was abandoned and the Panama Canal was constructed instead. The idea for the Pan-American Highway was revived in the 1930s during the Great Depression, when representatives from North and South American countries signed the Convention of the Pan-American Highway, outlining a plan to construct a massive series of roadways that could connect the Americas.
The Darien Gap: A Hotbed of Danger and an Impenetrable Barrier
Despite being an integral part of the Pan-American Highway, the Darien Gap remains one of the most dangerous and impenetrable strips of land in the world. The harsh conditions and presence of outlaws make it a nightmare to cross, and the lack of ferries or roads makes it an even more formidable obstacle. The Darien Gap is a testament to the difficulty of connecting the Americas, and despite its importance, it is unlikely that anything will be done about it anytime soon.
In conclusion, the Darien Gap is a dangerous and difficult journey that remains an impenetrable barrier between North and South America. Despite the thousands of people who make the journey every year, the lack of transportation options and the harsh conditions make it a treacherous obstacle. The Darien Gap is a reminder of the difficulty of connecting the Americas and of the dangers that lurk in the world’s most remote and inhospitable places.
Years ago, a man from Southern Cal had tried to travel from his home to the Southern tip of South America. He was doing okay until he reached Colombia. After leaving Medellin, Colombia he felt like he was in danger. He ended up being kidnapped for ransom. He was held for a few months. He was able to be released but that was due to him faking health issues. The US authorities got him, and he was checked out for any health issues. He decided to buy another motorcycle to finish his trip to the southern tip of South America. Later on, he did tours of Europe and further east with his motorcycle.
Idea for an alternative route: From Santa Fé del Darien, Around the Coast of Guna Yala, Then The Border in Cabo Tiburón, Goes Down to Santa María La Antigua Del Darién and then a bridge connection with Turbo or a road link-up with Lomas Aisladas, and then, it finally done. But It’s so expensive, dangerous and anti-environmentally conscious, so let things like that.
I attended the US Army Jungle School at Fort Sherman, Panama back in the early 1980’s. I had a chance then to see the Gap before returning to the US. It is a wild and untamed area for sure. I would call it the wild, wild west of western hemisphere jungles. Only the native Indians, some outlaws and maybe the biological and botanical research people would fit in there. Not a place anyone would “want” to be in.
One way they could circumvent the Darién Gap is by building a bridge or tunnel across from Cambutal in Panama, to Nuquí in Colombia, and then building another highway from there to Quibdo, which Colombian highway 60 goes through. Problem solved.
You forgot to mention the real reason why the gap exists. There was a train that actually ran through it, but when the United States decided it needed to make the Panama Canal, in sponsored an independence movement and carved off Panama. The Colombians were pissed and cut off all connections. The area has remained a buffer between the 2 since, like a dmz, but paramilitaries and drug gangs instead of mine fields. It could be built, but the politics are a major issue still. The other points you brought up are very relevant too, but you completely breezed over the political issues between the 2 countries, which is the main reason the gap exists.
There is another reason that isn’t mentioned very often. Colombia considers Panama to be part of Colombia. As long as the gap exists, it is impossible for Colombia to invade Panama. (air or sea invasions being very difficult even against inferior foes). The gap is the finest defensive structure that exists or can exist and it costs nothing to maintain.