English 
Spanish 
4 min read
1 comments
The region known as Darién, between Colombia and Panama, is an impassable territory due to its hostile geography and lack of infrastructure, making travel by car impossible.
In Panama, a narrow strip of land that connects the north and south of the Americas, holds one of the greatest mysteries and obstacles of modern geography: the Darién region.
Less than 100 km wide, this inhospitable area blocks the continuation of the mythical Pan-American highway, which connects Tierra del Fuego to Alaska.
The formation of the Isthmus of Panama
Millions of years ago, the formation of the Isthmus (a narrow strip of land connecting two larger areas of land) of Panama separated the oceans Pacifico e Atlantic, creating a natural bridge between the Americas.
- Construction: New $6,14 billion giant wall rising three kilometers away will transform India
- This is how China built 20 THOUSAND houses in Africa in 3 DAYS!
- PhD student invents formwork system that reduces concrete use by up to 60% and steel reinforcement by 90%, reducing emissions and waste
- Scientists develop bendable concrete with 11,9% more flexibility for 3D printing
Since then, the region has been inhabited by indigenous peoples such as the Gunas and Guaymís.
The arrival of Spanish colonizers in the 16th century transformed the place into a disputed and colonized territory.
But it was in the 20th century that Darién gained notoriety. overall because it is an impenetrable barrier to highways.
Despite engineering advances, dense forest and indigenous and environmentalist resistance prevented the construction of a road connecting Yaviza, Panama, to Turbo, Colombia.
Why is there no road?
Although there were attempts, mainly by the United States, to build a highway through Darién, numerous factors made the project difficult to carry out.
Hostile terrain: The region is made up of marshy land, dense forests and unique biodiversity. Building roads in this environment would be extremely challenging and expensive.
Environmental concerns: The Darién forest is a vital ecosystem for global biodiversity. Environmentalists have warned of the irreparable damage that a road would cause to local fauna and flora. For this reason, Darién was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981.
Sanitary barrier: Darién acts as a natural barrier against foot-and-mouth disease, a disease that affects cattle and pigs in South America. The absence of roads prevents the highly contagious virus from spreading north.
Indigenous resistance: Indigenous peoples in the region have consistently opposed road construction, arguing that it threatens their lands and cultures.
Organized crime: It is also marked by the activity of criminal factions and armed groups. During the 1990s, guerrillas from the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) controlled parts of the area, imposing violence, kidnappings and other crimes.
In addition, other armed and paramilitary groups also have a presence in the region, especially those linked to drug trafficking and illegal activities.
Attempts and failures
Over the years, there have been efforts to overcome the challenges of Darién. In the 1920s, Brazilians even attempted to travel across South America to the United States by car, but they faced great difficulties in the region.
Decades later, in 1985, Loren Upton and Patty Mercier took 741 days to cross the 200 km of forest in a jeep.
However, government efforts have been limited.
Although they encouraged the creation of national parks, such as Los Katíos in Colombia, to protect the region, the construction of roads was always considered unfeasible.
In 2010, Colombia announced a road project that would approach Darién, but the Panamanians refused any extension to connect the countries.
How do Brazilians get to the USA by car?
To drive from Brazil to the United States without crossing the Darien Strait, Brazilians need to combine land travel with sea or air crossings. See the general route:
As there is no road, Brazilians need to board the car on a ship or ferry from Turbo (Colombia) to a port in Panama (usually Colón or Panama City).
Alternatively, transport the vehicle by air, a service available in some regions, but the cost is much higher.
Cross Darién
Darién is known as “the most dangerous forest on the continent".
In addition to its hostile environment, the region was dominated by guerrillas, paramilitaries and drug traffickers for decades. Migrants attempting to cross the area face risks such as kidnapping, disease and even death.
Even with improvements to parts of the Pan-American Highway, the Darién gap continues to force travelers and migrants to divert their route, whether by boat or plane.
Although it is an obstacle to road connections between the Americas, Darién still plays a crucial role in the continent's environmental preservation and animal health.
Its unexplored nature is a barrier against diseases, a reserve of biodiversity and a refuge for indigenous communities.
Darién is not just a flaw in the Panamericana; it is a reminder that sometimes nature prevails over human ambition.
Two countries fighting over two tribes, get out and if you enter you will die against the owners of the Indian lands. Here in Brazil, the Indians also dominate roads, farms and cattle and IBAMA pretends