(prensa.com) There, in the High Tuira in Darien, are the last towns before reaching the border with Colombia.
This is Yaviza, Boca de Cupe, Púcuro, The Balsal, El Naranjal Sobiaquirú, Maturgantí and Paya, among others, whose population is mainly indigenous, but are not within the Embera Wounaan, or on the side of the region Cémaco or that of Sambu, and not in the Kuna Yala.
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Are people living in extreme poverty, engaged in subsistence farming and fed also with the limited supplies that arrive by river.
These are towns that have historically been under the influence of irregular groups of the neighboring country, especially the front 57 of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, but now face a new reality: the presence of the State Border Service (SENAFRONT).
A presence that has brought doctors, educators, more food and some comfort, to say the authorities, but it causes, while tension is known between two fronts, the fury of the guerrillas and the government.
In Paya and Pucuro and no history of violence. In January 2003, a command of the Defense Forces of Colombia broke into the area and shot and slaughtered the four indigenous leaders of those communities, whom he accused of collaborating with the guerrillas.
In the center of the Balsal and Sobiaquirú, meanwhile, violence came in January 2010. Three 57 guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) they were killed in a clash with officials SENAFRONT. Among the dead was René, who was part of the security rings Gilberto Torres, alias Becerro, principal leader of the narcoguerrilla in the area.
And who was himself recently Calf-this year, got in touch with the chiefs of the area and through them sent a request to the Panamanian authorities: that the withdrawal of the High SENAFRONT Tuira. Neither more nor less.
In 2010, 13 December, staff from the front, also known as the Front Mario Velez sent the commander SENAFRONT post in Paya, a statement in which he lamented that the current government is pursuing and made a called for the SENAFRONT not leave the area, not in a tone of “threat”, but intended to initiate a dialogue.
The answer in both cases, according to the director of SENAFRONT, Frank Abrego, is literally “no.” And meanwhile, life goes on in those border towns and mountain rainforest, between bananas and fish, Colombian guerrillas and Panamanian police …
CHANGE. Unlike the past, in the towns of Alto Tuira is too often the presence of Panamanian police. BENEFITS. The presence of the military has brought doctors, schools, extra food and some comfort, but also pressure and uncertainty.
LIFE. Tuira River is the artery through which life flows in this border area of Darien. Everything comes and goes through its waters. SHOOTING. Near El Balsal, penultimate village before the border, they were killed three guerrillas of the FARC Front 57 in January 2010.
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TEXT: Rafael Luna Noguera
PHOTOS: ANA RENTERIA
rluna@prensa.com