US Embassy Agrees With Panama's Decision To Keep The Darien Gap Closed

(Panama-Guide) - Panama America -  The U.S. Embassy concurs with the decision of the Government of Panama to maintain the natural state of the Darien province, and to not explore the possibility of extending a road to the border with Colombia. "Taking into account the environmental hazards and national security, we welcome the Government's response to the issue of opening of the Darien," said a press release by the Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy, David R. Gilmour.

He argued that keeping the Darien Gap closed benefits the Panamanian economy because it serves as a vital natural barrier that protects Panama, Central America, and North America from various diseases affecting livestock and public health, including foot and mouth disease and screwworm. These diseases are present in South America, but can not cross the natural barrier of Darien, while it remains in its natural state.

In 1972, the U.S. launched a multinational effort to eradicate the screwworm from the U.S. border to the Darien, working with Mexico and all Central American countries. Since 1997, the joint United States-Panama Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of screwworm (COPEG) has worked in Panama to eliminate this disease, which affects both humans and animals. Due to the success of this joint collaboration, Panama was declared free of screwworm in 2006. The elimination of this disease has brought benefits to the Panamanian economy of about $38 million dollars per year, particularly in the livestock industries.

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Original Source: http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20100825104211388
Date Retrieved: August 25, 2010.