Thousands of tourists have gone missing in Panama in the past couple of years. There are reports of drug trafficking and gender-based violence in the country. Here are a few tips to help keep your belongings safe.
Lisanne Froon and Kris Kremers
Several tourists have been reported missing in Panama. One woman disappeared after hiking in the rainforest. The other woman disappeared while on a boat trip. These two cases have many similarities but also differ significantly. Hopefully, you’ll learn something from their stories.
The story of Lisanne Froon and Kris Kremers is not one you should dismiss out of hand. They were both young, beautiful and vivacious. They had traveled to Panama for a dream vacation to Latin America. They had saved up for months. They had a plan to learn Spanish and hike around the Baru volcano in Boquete.
They arrived in Panama on March 15th. The following day they went for a hike. Lisanne and Kris were accompanied by their host’s dog. They were only a week into their trip when they went missing. The following day, they checked into a new place.
Their backpacks contained all of their belongings, including a camera, sunglasses and a water bottle. The backpack also contained a small amount of money.
Drug trafficking in Panama
Located on the Pacific coast of Central America, Panama is an important transit point for illicit narcotics. The country has over 2,490 miles of coastline. Panamanian authorities seized a record 128 tons of drugs in 2021. The drugs were seized in 565 operations against organized crime.
A key component of Panama’s anti-drug efforts is the National Border Police (SENAFRONT). INL works with SENAFRONT to train the officers on border control practices and the operational support required to prosecute drug traffickers. INL also trains SENAFRONT officers on biometric data collection and modernizing border controls. INL’s partnerships with the United States Department of Defense and Customs and Border Protection are also critical to Panama’s ability to combat drug trafficking.
In early September, Panamanian authorities carried out a series of raids on a suspected international drug trafficking ring. The operation was carried out in cooperation with the US Drug Enforcement Administration. This operation led to the arrest of 27 people, including acting airport security personnel and a high-ranking official from Panama’s Attorney General’s Office. The Panamanian authorities also seized $10 million in cash.
Women do not report incidents of gender-based violence
Thousands of women and girls across Latin America and the Caribbean continue to suffer from femicide. In Panama, femicide rates rose in 2020. This is despite the fact that the country’s constitutionally mandated inquisitorial system continues to operate ineffectively.
The Gender Equality Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean is a project which consolidates and updates data on women’s violent deaths from government and non-governmental sources. In addition, it publishes a report on femicide.
In Panama, the Public Ministry reports that 13,013 new domestic violence cases were reported in October. These figures include 16 femicides. However, the Ministry does not keep separate statistics on the number of sexual crimes. The most sexual crimes investigated by the National Police Directorate of Judicial Investigation were rapes.
The Panamanian National Police’s internal affairs office has failed to effectively discourage corruption, narcotics trafficking, and conduct violations. In addition, it does not have adequate infrastructure for a women’s police unit. The lack of personnel and social support teams has contributed to the unit’s mixed success.
Travel insurance in Panama covers theft and loss of valuables
Taking travel insurance in Panama is a good idea for anyone visiting this Central American country. The country is generally safe but has some high crime rates. Pickpocketing and mugging are two common problems. There are also several mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue and chikungunya.
A good travel insurance policy can help you cover theft and loss of valuables. The policy will also provide you with emergency assistance. It may also cover the cost of replacing your passport and credit card if they are stolen.
If your items are stolen, you should report it to the local authorities. This should be done within 24 hours. You can also get help from the local embassy. In order to make a claim for your lost items, you must have proof of purchase. This can be in the form of receipts or pictures. You must also show the worth of the item.
In addition, you must show that you have taken steps to obtain compensation from the carrier. This may include providing a written official report. The carrier’s policy may have additional exclusions, so you will need to read the policy’s fine print.
