Panama arrests 21 Colombians for illegal mining in Darien

Panamanian border authorities, through the National Border Service (Senafront), arrested 21 Colombian nationals suspected of involvement in illegal mining within the Darien jungle. The arrests took place in the northern area near the Pito River headwaters in the Darien province as part of ‘Operation Steel Shield’.

During the operation, special agents discovered improvised camps, dredges, motor pumps, and other equipment used for illegal extraction. Authorities stated that these activities are controlled by the Clan del Golfo, Colombia’s largest criminal organization. The suspects have been handed over to the competent authorities for legal processing.

This crackdown is part of a broader security deployment involving over 700 Senafront special agents stationed at tactical points and binational surveillance posts along the 266-kilometer jungle border to combat illicit economies, including illegal gold mining.