CIS at the “Darien Gap,” heart of the U.S. Border Crisis

CIS analyst Todd Bensman is traveling on field research to the Darien Gap immigration passageway through which more than 1.5 million foreign nationals have reached the U.S. southern border over the past three-plus years. Check in here to stay abreast of Bensman’s video, photos and reports as he travels.

Bensman’s purpose for traveling first to Colombia’s immigrant staging towns and then to Panama’s camps and impacted villages is to assess the impacts of a new Panama plan to “close” the passageway – supposedly with pledged U.S. help.

For background, please read Bensman’s most recently published analyses on these potentially consequential new developments for the U.S. mass migration crisis now in its fourth year and its impact on the presidential election:

Panama’s Pinch Point: Closing the gap would be a big step toward stopping the flow of migrants north. 

A Dramatic Biden U-Turn on Darien Gap Immigrant Passage Policy

August 8, 2024

Todd Bensman reports from south of the Darien Gap in Acandi, Colombia.

The quick down and dirty on Panamanian President Mulino’s first steps to “close” the infamous Darien Gap migration passage – and further ease US southern border traffic. From Acandi, Colombia – a primary trailhead town… pic.twitter.com/aYhHFpSvLY

— Todd Bensman (@BensmanTodd) August 8, 2024

In Acandi, Colombia – a trailhead town springboarding US-bound immigrants into the Darien Gap – they’re coming in greatly diminished numbers due to Panamanian President Mulino’s dramatic new “close-the-gap” policies. This will translate into political points for Kamala Harris. pic.twitter.com/xPKMgjLy2P

— Todd Bensman (@BensmanTodd) August 8, 2024

August 7, 2024

HIAS, the illegal immigration help behomoth nongovernmental organization, was well represented at the boat station in Turbo, Colombia, giving aiding nudges to Darien Gap immigrant travelers. Other NGOs on deck in Turbo and in Acandia too on US taxpayer grant money. pic.twitter.com/rGN0lnycoP

— Todd Bensman (@BensmanTodd) August 9, 2024

Todd Bensman reports from south of the Darien Gap in Turbo, Colombia.

“A wave is coming!” So say Venezuelans just arriving in the Darien Gap springboard town of Turbo, Colombia on the Gulf of Urabá. All claim to have just fled the latest home political spasm and heading to the US to claim asylum on it. 1st wave? pic.twitter.com/KMwJuOPmgY

— Todd Bensman (@BensmanTodd) August 8, 2024

In Turbo,Colombia – a springboard to the Darien Gap immigrant passage into Panama – a crowd of Venezuelans on their way through to the US claiming they just fled the election violence swarmed me. Yeh, but I spect some will claim it even tho they left long before any violence. pic.twitter.com/cxubXutOYg

— Todd Bensman (@BensmanTodd) August 8, 2024

The Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, I’m told by many, is active in at least the drug trade waaaay down here in Colombia in the Darien Gap staging zones. This Venezuelan migrant bought himself a cool hat in a local store. pic.twitter.com/XRJwMxIneL

— Todd Bensman (@BensmanTodd) August 9, 2024