Thousands of migrants cross the jungle between Colombia and Panama on their way to the U.S. each year, often turning to coyotes to navigate natural hazards.
Pentagon has a Security Forces Assistance Brigade working in both countries, primarily advising local forces. Administration officials are pushing to expand the training mission, including moving troops to Darien to advise Colombian and Panamanian forces on how to cut off the flow of people and drugs. The troops could work with the Colombian National Police and other U.s. agencies in the region.