Panama reinforced its border with Colombia on Sunday following attacks during the first day in office of Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella. Two attacks on Saturday, Aug. 8, left one police officer dead and several injured in Colombia during the first hours in power of the far-right leader, who promised to face narcoterrorism without truce.
Panama's Ministry of Security announced that agents from the National Border Service, known as Senafront, and the National Aeronaval Service, known as Senan, increased control along the border to strengthen surveillance. The two nations share the 266-kilometer Darien jungle border, an inhospitable territory without land roads where Colombian irregular groups have historically operated.
Border security deployment
Agents were deployed in military uniforms with war weapons, while more than 15 naval vessels were mobilized across the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. National Border Service General Director Larry Solis told AFP that the goal of the deployment is to block all coasts and borders to combat criminal groups directly.
Some Panamanian sectors had expressed fear that irregular groups such as the Gulf Clan or ELN rebels could enter Panama through the jungle if hostilities increase under Colombia's new administration. However, Panamanian Security Minister Frank Abrego discarded that possibility last Monday, stating that joint intelligence from Panamanian and Colombian authorities found no truthful information supporting those concerns and urged against spreading fear.
Canal defense exercises
The Panamanian government announced the security measure while conducting military maneuvers with about 20 countries, including the United States, to defend the Panama Canal. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth is scheduled to attend the closing of the exercises next Thursday.
