Panama On The Human Trafficking Route For People From African Countries

(Panama-Guide) - La Critica -  Eritreans, Somalis and Ethiopians are paying at least $15,000 dollars to "coyotes" to bring them to the American dream from the poorest African countries. According to a report published by Colombia's El Tiempo newspaper, the human traffickers use the port of El Waffe, en Turbo, Urabá antioqueño, to bring groups of people in from Ecuador, who enter the country via more than 27 different trails that have been identified. At first they were not asked for visas, but recently the government of Ecuador has tightened security measures.

The 57th FARC Front, which operates near the Panamanian border in the Darien with Colombia, is responsible for taking charge of the human beings who are being trafficked. From Urabá, they enter the jungle in the area of the Chocó department from the sea, entering the Atrato river and then passing through the Darien jungle. The human trafficking route is on the way to the United States, passing through Mexico where they are charged another $15,000 dollars, which is paid to the mafias by other family members.

Many of the victims are from Nepal, China, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan who would rather not return to their home counties because if they are caught and deported they could face up to 15 years at hard labor back home. Others are deserters from the armed forces and conflicts in their home countries.

Escape Route - The human trafficking networks operate from the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands, who constantly make adjustments to the routes they use.

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Original Source: Panama-Guide

Date Retrieved: October 26, 2010.