Let's talk about the break in the Pan-American Highway. What's the history? How do you get around it?
THE DARIEN GAP
Pan-American Highway
Gap between Panama & Colombia
Dense Jungle
Largest Biosphere Reserve in Central America
Raniest zone on the planet
Pick the correct answer
Have you heard of the Darien Gap before?
CROSSING WITH A VEHICLE NOW
No ferry
No Highway
Only Container Ship
HISTORY
US control in the region
Colombia offered help to build a highway
Environmental protection
Indigenous life
1981: UNESCO Patrimony to Humanity
Dangerous region recently
Proposed rail or road routes
FIRST VEHICLE CROSSING 1972
British army officer Gavin Thompson
Team of 64 engineers and scientists
Indigenous Groups
Five tribes
Protect Culture & Environment
More access to markets would be good
Worried about new illnesses
MIGRATION
In 2021 more than 130,000 people
More than the 9 previous years
Diverse migrants
MIGRATION ROUTES
Global forced displacement
People leaving homes due to persecution, conflict, general violence, or human rights violations
CENTRAL AMERICAN ROUTE
Poverty & violence
Routes controlled by cartels
Drug trade
Destabilisation
Seaside town of 20,000
In Aug 2021, 10,000 migrants waiting
Public services collapsed
Familes forced to use life savings to survive
GOVERNMENTS
No land control
Letting thousands of people die
Responsibility to protect: indigenous, nature, well-being of people, economy
Increased security campaign from Feb 2022
Pick the correct answer
Do you think the Darien Gap should be opened with a highway/railway?
PROS
Strengthen the border with a legal route
Toll highway / railway
A way for indigenous groups to transport products
Surveillance for illegal trafficking, mining, and logging
Better options for ecological tourism
A humanitarian route
Type your answer
Can you think of any other pros?
CONS
Protect the indigenous culture
Protect the jungle
The costs are too great with difficult geography
Prevent illnesses from spreading
There isn't enough traffic between the two countries
Type your answer
Any other cons you can think of?
Pick the correct answer
After reviewing pros and cons, do you think they should open the gap?
CRISIS SOLUTIONS
Dissuade migrants from crossing, emphasise danger
Create safer, more welcoming options
Create better routes
Give choice and support to return home
Consider a regional approach
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Full Video Duration:
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about 2 years ago
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