Yisell Arévalo Castro | February 23, 2023
Security Minister Juan Pino, accompanied by Colombian Defense Minister Iván Velásquez, paid a visit to the Alto Limón Binational Post, where issues related to border security were discussed.
Pino explained that the primary function of these Binational Posts on the Colombian-Panamanian border and which are each built in their respective territory, is the strategic consolidation of this region, being the Public Force of both nations, the executor of the operations of “High Impact” that are developed from this platform against “armed” criminal groups, with the primary purpose of reducing and neutralizing drug trafficking and the actions of these criminal organizations.
The National Border Service (Senafront) shares with Colombia three (3) Binational Posts: Alto Limón, La Unión and La Olla, which are essential for the support and execution of operations by the Panamanian forces, which has entailed positive factors in the «Strategy» of territorial strengthening.
Pino also pointed out that it must be remembered that the border cordon was used by the former ONT-FARC Narco-Terrorist Organization, specifically the 57th Front, with the purpose of maintaining its criminal platform.
Currently, the Armed Criminal Groups (GDA), as they are recognized in Colombia, are identified in Panama as a “Transnational Criminal Structure.” They use land routes to transport illegal substances, where they are located at strategic points as a rest area and later continue with their journey and thus transport illegal substances.
He stated that as part of the security strategy, the construction of Binational Posts in the Caribbean, Rio Balsa sector and Pacific Sector is projected; this in order to reinforce and create a barrier to block mobility corridors, used for drug trafficking activities.
He stressed that these Border Security Posts are a unique model in the hemisphere, which supports and demonstrates the value of international cooperation in the fight against transnational criminal organizations.
