This Is Why the Americas Aren’t Still Connected by a Road

Summary

The Pan-American Highway, stretching 19,000 miles across North and South America, is the world's longest highway but is interrupted by the perilous Darien Gap. This 60-mile stretch between Panama and Colombia is a formidable barrier, traversed by thousands seeking a better life, facing treacherous terrain, wildlife, and human predators. Despite its dangers, the Gap remains unbridged due to environmental concerns, political tensions, and the illegal nature of many crossings. The video explores the history, challenges, and future prospects of this daunting natural and man-made divide.

Takeaways

• 🌉 The Pan-American Highway is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the longest highway in the world, spanning approximately 19,000 miles across North and South America.
• 🚧 The highway does not connect North and South America due to a break in the road known as the Darién Gap, located between Panama and Colombia.
• 🗺️ The idea for the Pan-American Highway originated in 1937 with an agreement among Canada, the US, and 12 Latin American countries to build a continuous road from Alaska to Patagonia.
• 🌳 The Darién Gap, covering 60 miles of dense rainforests, swamps, and mountains, is considered one of the most dangerous routes in the world for travelers.
• 🌍 In recent years, the Gap has become a perilous 'super highway' for migrants attempting to reach the US, with over 520,000 people crossing it in 2023 alone.
• 💸 The cost of crossing the Gap varies widely, from approximately $300 for the cheapest, most physically demanding route to over $11,000 for a boat trip.
• 🐍 The Gap is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the bushmaster, the largest venomous snake in the world, and other dangerous species.
• 🏞️ Environmental concerns, including the impact on wildlife and indigenous peoples, have been a significant factor in halting the construction of a road through the Gap.
• 🛣️ Political tensions, changing economic priorities, and the rise of other transportation methods have diminished the motivation to complete the highway.
• 🌎 Despite the challenges, the potential for a rail connection is discussed as a possible alternative to a road, although it currently lacks political and public support.

Q & A

What is the Pan-American Highway?

The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads stretching across both the North and South American continents, spanning a total of 19,000 miles. According to Guinness World Records, it is the longest highway in the world.

Does the Pan-American Highway fully connect North and South America?

No, there is a section called the Darien Gap between Panama and Colombia where the road stops. This area has no official roads and is one of the most dangerous and difficult routes to cross.

Why wasn’t the Pan-American Highway completed in the Darien Gap?

The road wasn’t completed due to engineering challenges, including dense rainforests, swamps, steep mountains, unstable soils, and rivers. Additionally, environmental concerns and political opposition halted construction efforts in the 1970s.

What makes crossing the Darien Gap so dangerous?

The Darien Gap presents numerous dangers such as thick jungle, mudslides, rapid rivers, venomous wildlife, and criminal organizations. Migrants often face dehydration, disease, and attacks from predators or criminals as they traverse the difficult terrain.

How many people crossed the Darien Gap in 2023, and how is this number changing?

In 2023, around 520,000 people crossed the Darien Gap on their way to the United States, which is more than double the number from the previous year. This figure is expected to increase to over 800,000 in 2024.

Why haven’t governments built a road through the Darien Gap to make migration safer?

Governments have avoided building a road through the Darien Gap due to environmental concerns, opposition from local tribes, and the political desire to deter illegal migration. Additionally, constructing the road would be costly and difficult.

What are some of the main dangers posed by wildlife in the Darien Gap?

The Darien Gap is home to dangerous wildlife such as venomous snakes like the bushmaster and coral snakes, venomous frogs and spiders, as well as large predators like jaguars and pumas. These animals can pose serious threats to travelers.

What role do criminal organizations play in the Darien Gap?

Criminal organizations control the migration route through the Darien Gap, extorting money from migrants and engaging in thefts, assaults, and smuggling operations. These criminals exploit the migrants’ vulnerability in this lawless region.

Why did some environmentalists and health experts oppose building the highway through the Darien Gap?

Environmentalists opposed building the highway due to concerns about deforestation and damage to the region's biodiversity, which is one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. Health experts also raised concerns about the spread of hoof and mouth disease through livestock movement.

How do migrants typically navigate the Darien Gap without roads?

Migrants usually trek through the Darien Gap on foot, often hiring guides or smugglers for assistance. Some opt to travel by boat, but this can be costly. The journey takes about 10 days and involves navigating through dense jungle, rivers, and mountains.

Outlines

00:00

🌎 The Pan-American Highway: A Journey Across Continents

The Pan-American Highway is the world's longest highway, spanning 19,000 miles across North and South America. Despite its impressive length, it does not connect the two continents due to a break in the road known as the Darién Gap. This gap, located between Panama and Colombia, is a treacherous route through dense rainforests, swamps, and mountains, and is considered one of the most dangerous in the world. The highway was conceived in 1937 as a symbol of unity and economic opportunity, aiming to facilitate trade and travel between North and South America. However, the dream of a continuous road was never fully realized due to the challenges posed by the Darién Gap. Today, the gap has become a perilous path for migrants seeking to reach the United States, with many risking their lives to traverse this undeveloped and inhospitable terrain.

05:01

🐍 The Darién Gap: A Dangerous Passage for Migrants

The Darién Gap is not only a geographical barrier but also a dangerous passage for migrants attempting to reach North America. In 2023, it was reported that 520,000 people crossed the gap, a number that is expected to rise. The journey is fraught with hazards, including navigating through jungles, wading through rivers, and climbing steep slopes. The cost of hiring a guide can be prohibitive, with the cheapest option costing around $300 per person. The environment is harsh, with constant rain, high temperatures, and humidity exacerbating the challenges. The region is also home to numerous venomous species, such as the bushmaster snake, and large predators like jaguars, which pose significant threats to those who dare to cross. Despite the risks, the number of migrants using this route continues to grow, highlighting the desperation and determination to reach a better life.

10:03

🚧 The Unfinished Road: Challenges and Controversies

The construction of a continuous road through the Darién Gap has been a contentious issue for decades. The 1970s saw a major attempt to bridge the gap, but it was halted due to environmental concerns, potential impacts on indigenous peoples, and the spread of diseases. The political climate and changing international relations also played a role in the decision to halt construction. The gap serves as a natural barrier, preventing illegal entry into Panama and being seen as a route for illegal substances by the US. Environmentalists and local tribes oppose any development in the area due to its unique biodiversity. While some argue that a road or rail connection could boost the economy through ecotourism and agriculture, the project lacks political and popular support. The economic incentives for building the road have diminished over time, and the focus has shifted to other forms of transportation and trade.

15:06

🚴‍♂️ Crossing the Darién Gap: A Cyclist's Tale

The story of Liam Garner, a cyclist who attempted to ride from Alaska to Argentina, illustrates the challenges of crossing the Darién Gap. Despite the gap being impassable by land, Garner managed to complete his journey by flying over the gap, as it is not feasible to traverse by bicycle. His experience underscores the difficulty and danger of the Darién Gap, even for the most determined and adventurous travelers. The narrative serves as a testament to the gap's reputation as an obstacle that even the most intrepid explorers must circumvent.

Keywords

💡Pan-American Highway

The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads that spans across North and South America, totaling approximately 19,000 miles. It is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the longest highway in the world. The highway was conceived as an international corridor to facilitate trade and promote peace and friendship among the American continents. However, it is incomplete due to the Darién Gap, which is a break in the highway between Panama and Colombia, making it a symbol of unfulfilled potential in the video's narrative.

💡Darién Gap

The Darién Gap is a 60-mile break in the Pan-American Highway, located between Panama and Colombia. It is characterized by dense rainforests, swamps, and steep mountains, making it one of the most dangerous routes in the world. The Gap serves as a natural barrier and is a significant focus of the video, illustrating the extreme challenges faced by those attempting to cross it, such as migrants seeking a better life.

💡Migration

Migration, as discussed in the video, refers to the movement of people from one region to another in search of better opportunities, often due to social, economic, or political pressures. The Darién Gap has become a critical route for migrants attempting to reach North America, highlighting the desperation and risks involved in their journey.

💡Environmental Disaster

The term 'environmental disaster' is used in the context of the potential impact of building a road through the Darién Gap. It refers to the significant ecological damage that could result from such construction, including deforestation and disruption of wildlife habitats. The video mentions that past attempts to build the road were halted due to environmental concerns.

💡Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous peoples are mentioned in relation to the potential negative impact of constructing a road through the Darién Gap. They are the native inhabitants of the region whose way of life could be threatened by such development. The video suggests that the construction could disrupt their communities and traditions.

💡Smuggler

A smuggler is an individual involved in the illegal transportation of goods or people across borders. In the video, smugglers are depicted as essential guides for migrants attempting to cross the Darién Gap, highlighting the lawlessness and danger associated with this route.

💡Ecotourism

Ecotourism is a form of sustainable travel that aims to support conservation efforts while providing visitors with an educational experience of natural environments. The video suggests that some locals believe a connection with Colombia, possibly through a railway, could boost ecotourism and benefit the economy, although this idea lacks political support.

💡Coyotes

In the context of the video, 'coyotes' refers to human smugglers who guide migrants across borders for a fee. The video mentions that these individuals are ready to expand their operations to new continents, indicating the growing and global nature of human smuggling.

💡Endemic Species

Endemic species are those that are native and unique to a specific geographic region. The video highlights that the Darién Gap is home to many endemic species, emphasizing the region's biological diversity and the importance of preserving it, which is threatened by potential development.

💡Infrastructure

Infrastructure refers to the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. The video describes the lack of infrastructure in the Darién Gap, such as roads, buildings, and water supply, which contributes to the harsh conditions faced by those attempting to cross it.

💡Criminal Organizations

Criminal organizations are groups involved in illegal activities for profit. The video mentions that these organizations control the migration routes through the Darién Gap and exploit migrants, making millions from extortion, theft, and assault, illustrating the lawless and dangerous nature of the area.

Highlights

The Pan-American Highway is the longest highway in the world, stretching 19,000 miles across North and South America.

The highway does not connect North and South America due to a section known as the Darién Gap, where the road stops.

The Pan-American Highway was conceived in 1937 with an agreement to build a continuous road from Alaska to Patagonia.

The highway's original goal was to facilitate trade and promote peace and friendship between the American continents.

The Darién Gap, located between Panama and Colombia, is a 60-mile stretch considered one of the world's most dangerous routes.

In 2023, over 520,000 people crossed the Darién Gap, more than double the number from the previous year.

The journey through the Darién Gap involves navigating dense rainforests, swamps, and steep mountains without a road.

Travelers through the Darién Gap face extreme conditions, including high humidity, heat, and the risk of landslides and floods.

The region is home to many venomous species, such as the bushmaster, the largest venomous snake in the world.

Large predators like jaguars, oselots, and pumas are known to attack humans in the area.

The Darién Gap is also a major route for illegal migration and is controlled by criminal organizations.

Despite the dangers, no road has been built in the Darién Gap due to environmental concerns and political issues.

The construction of the highway was halted in the 1970s due to environmental and health concerns.

The Darién Gap remains a significant barrier to illegal entry and a symbol of strained international relations.

In 2024, there were plans to build a bridge in the Darién Gap, funded possibly by China, to address the migration situation.

The bridge construction aims to change the dynamics of migration and potentially reduce the risks associated with crossing.

Despite the challenges, adventurer Liam Garner successfully cycled from Alaska to Argentina, avoiding the Darién Gap by flying.

Transcripts

this is the Pan-American Highway a

network of Roads stretching across both

American continents for a whole 19,000

mies according to the Guinness World

Records the Pan-American Highway is the

longest highway in the world it runs

through all of North America and all of

South America and no it doesn't connect

them together there's a section where

the road stops and it's not because the

road workers decided to take a coffee

break and then forget where they left

off by the way speaking of coffee don't

go anywhere I'll be right back

just an unobtrusive reminder not to

forget to hit the like button at the end

of the video so the Pan-American Highway

where did it all start naturally with an

agreement in 1937 Canada the US and 12

Latin American countries signed the

convention on the Pan-American Highway

committing to build their sections of

the road from Alaska to Patagonia the

goal was to realize the dream of UN uped

vehicle movement between both continents

the dream in turn was born from optimism

and friendly relations and American

companies wanted to boost sales through

South American markets they wanted to

sell cars tires and Roads basically

building the highway was the perfect

option it was supposed to be like an

international Corridor and the countries

connected by the highway would live in

peace and friendship maybe happily ever

after and although the highway was

indeed built none of this happened the

dream collapsed on the border between

Panama and Colombia in the Daran Gap

where the land was never cleared and

paved today Panama and Colombia are the

only neighboring countries on the planet

that don't have even the most basic kind

of Road Connection in the Darian Gap

there are no official roads so traveling

through it's considered one of the most

dangerous routes in the world Far From

Any settlements through dense

rainforests swamps and steep mountains

without a road and this place is the

only land route connecting Central and

South America the length of the route

through the Darion Gap is 60 Mi through

mountains forests and swamps I don't see

anything surprising in the fact that for

centuries the Darian Gap was considered

almost impassible both potential

colonizers and ordinary explorers who

ventured there usually just died from

Hunger or thirst and if they managed to

avoid such a death they would fall

victim to animal attacks drown in

rapidly Rising rivers or simply get lost

forever in the jungle all these dangers

still exist but in recent years the

Darion Gap has turned into a super

highway for people only there still

aren't any roads

here people who risk their lives are

trying to get to the US where they hope

to find safety and work and when I call

the route a super highway I'm not

exaggerating in 2023 520,000 people

crossed the Daran gap on their way to

the United States that numbers more than

double the number recorded the year

before 10 years ago only about 100 to

200 brave souls dared to take take this

route each year and it's expected that

the number of people risking their lives

to cross the Daran Gap will increase

it's quite possible that over 800,000

people may already pass through the

Darian Gap in 2024 all these people for

10 days and sometimes even longer are

forced to Trek through jungles Wade

through mud rivers and constantly climb

up Mountain slopes to get through the

jungle you can hire a guide but it costs

money there are many ways the most

exhausting route the cheapest one right

now cost about $300 per person and

you'll have to cross the jungle on foot

a boat trip along the coast might cost

more than $11,000 however those who

manage to cross the Daran Gap say that

it's just impossible to get through this

stretch of land without the help of a

Smuggler or guide the path is strewn

with rocks and covered with vines plus

it often crosses streams but even

without the stream it's still really

moist these are jungles after all the

hills are slippery with mud and so steep

that people often don't walk as much as

crawl on all fours grabbing onto Twisted

roots on Mountain sections everything

gets even harder and you often have to

climb steep rocks risking falling and

dying it's good if there's a rope to

hold on to but sometimes there isn't and

this is the clothing and gear that

people throw away along the way to

lighten their backpacks because moving

from one place to another means carrying

stuff with them but often the choice is

between keeping your stuff and keeping

your life the less you carry the easier

it is to overcome the obstacles the

Environ ment throws at you it represents

a serious problem the Daran Gap is one

of the wetest regions in the world and

frequent rains can cause land slides in

mountainous areas the Daran Gap is

located near the equator so temperatures

there can reach 95° f plus there's the

humidity from the rain plus there's

humidity from two oceans at once and

this humidity makes constant thirst and

hunger even worse don't forget about

rivers that cause sudden floods and even

if nothing like that happens you still

have to cross them people have to deal

with strong currents that sweep away

anyone who slips and people drown in the

muddy water on top of that there's the

rainy season which goes from late April

to December you'd think there couldn't

be any more water but if people don't

like dense forests with high humidity

animals are just thrilled by these

conditions these forests in Central

America are home to many different kinds

of venomous snakes insects and plants

for example only in the Daran Gap you

can find the bushmaster the largest

venomous snake in the world it can grow

up to 10 ft and weigh almost 20 lb the

bushmaster is often called the deadliest

snake on the planet though it's unclear

how true this is Bush Masters are poorly

studied besides them there are a lot of

coral snakes here they're also very

dangerous and can kill a person within a

few hours there are also many frogs and

toads and they're often deadly within a

few hours after contact spiders there's

plenty of them here too and some are

deadly venomous and don't forget the

Scorpions centipedes and all kinds kind

of bugs you definitely don't want to

mess with but they won't ask your

permission after all it's their jungle

the fiercest Predators Jaguars oselot

and pumas won't hesitate to attack if

they feel like it what's more their

paths cross with humans way too often

for example people are stepping over

Jaguar tracks crocodiles yeah there are

crocodiles here too it's not a jungle

it's an endless fight for

survival naturally in these wild areas

there's absolutely no infrastructure

roads buildings water supply or any

amenities people sleep in tents they set

up themselves and the only water is

bottled sold at rest stops and much more

expensive than it would be in a regular

store everything else you need to bring

with you including food and Medicine you

may object for I've mentioned Rivers

sure but the water in them is so dirty

that without filtering it's just

dangerous to drink and of course

Ordinary People don't have the right

filters besides having to constantly

make sure you don't die you have to deal

with injuries bruises Cuts animal bites

and broken B B are common high humidity

and the daily heat combined with a lack

of clean drinking water leave many

severely dehydrated there are also

diseases transmitted by blood sucking

bugs as well as fungal infections and

many others including typhus for example

there are times when diseases can't even

be diagnosed they simply last for months

bringing people pain but that's still

not all the route and basically the

entire path that people use to migrate

from South America to North America is

controlled by criminal organ

organizations they make millions if not

billions of dollars from it extortion

thefts assaults people do all this to

other people because they know they are

completely defenseless even Jaguars act

more humanely in the end not all of the

hundreds of thousands of migrants make

it through the dangerous stretch without

a road in the elal de Santa Maria

Cemetery in a village in eastern Panama

which can only be reached by river a new

melum was recently installed donated by

the Red Cross in March 23 the modest

concrete structure contains 100 niches

for human remains every year the

authorities in Panama pull dozens of

bodies out of the Jungle but that's only

the ones they managed to find far more

people are swallowed up by Nature from

time to time the public hears about

deaths for example more than 60 migrants

lost their lives trying to cross the

border in the first half of 2023

officials state that the real figure is

probably much higher recently in July

2024 10 people drowned in the Daran Gap

while attempting to cross the river that

had spilled over its banks so the

inevitable question is if so many people

keep passing through this area

endangering their lives why not build a

road here it would save hundreds of

lives to answer this question we need to

go back to the history of the

Pan-American highways creation when the

road reached the Daran gap an

engineering problem arose steep

mountains constant seasonal rains

inaccessibility unstable soils hundreds

of rivers and streams and and also the

ATR River Basin which was called a swamp

due to the lack of any Solid Ground it

was simply impossible to build a bridge

there imagine all the hardships and

dangers people face today construction

workers would go through the same thing

and they'd have to work under such

conditions and yes it's probably

possible to find a solution especially

today in the age of Technology when

money and desire make it possible to

build anything and anywhere however the

road is still not there because it's not

just about landscape issues spiders and

Jaguars the last major attempt to build

a continuous Road through the Daran Gap

was made in the 1970s when the US

offered to cover 2/3 of the projects

caused and by 1975 the US was sued the

highway had become an environmental

disaster for wildlife and Indigenous

peoples living in the jungle relations

between countries began to sour

environmentalists worried about

deforestation and health experts who

sounded the alarm over the spread of

hoof and mouth disease voiced their

objections the construction of the

highway was frozen for almost two

decades by 1992 the political climate

got better and it would have been

possible to go back to construction but

no one really wanted to be friendly with

the neighbors anymore people began

putting up fences rather than roads

sedarian gap for Panama became such a

natural barrier that it stops illegal

entry into the country on the other hand

the US saw the highway as a route for

moving illegal substances and South

America especially Argentina highways

came to be seen as a tool of American

imperialism so the road remained

unfinished and today they won't finish

it even for the sake of hundreds of

thousands of people who are forced to

risk their lives making their way

through the jungle all because these

people are Crossing Borders illegally

and therefore governments are actually

trying to stop them build a road to make

their Journey easier no one's going to

do that besides environmentalists and

local tribes are still against it the

Daran Gap is one of the most

biologically diverse places on the

planet with every fifth species being

endemic to this region so what's the

point of having a highway here in case

you're wondering why people choose this

path it's a complicated subject that

would take more than a single video to

cover so I won't dive into it but since

we're talking about migration it's

important to mention its reasons mainly

it's the social and economic conditions

in the region that keep getting worse

people suffer from organized crime

political instability and the

consequences of frequent natural

disasters all this forces them to leave

their homes in search of a better life

and the Darian Gap is unfortunately the

only existing route all the others are

closed off by the authorities but what

about the prospects for the highway

maybe someday in the future while the

Colombian government might have been or

might still be open to the idea of a

road or other means of Transit through

the dangerous area but the Panamanian

government is not thrilled about it at

the same time many locals today are

saying that the connection with Colombia

will benefit the economy through

ecotourism and agriculture well they're

actually talking about the rail way

connection it seems like it'll be more

gentle on the environment but it's a

project without support from politicians

and Broad segments of the population so

I wouldn't expect trains anytime soon

moreover the economic reasons for

building the road are now much fewer

than before if they even exist at all

this is because most InterContinental

trade with South America is carried out

by C and switching to Cargo transport

would hardly offer any benefit so it

seems pretty unlikely that they'll

finish the highway

how about the

bridge in April of this year there was

unexpected news in Panama at one of the

most dangerous border crossings for

migrants in the world they plan to build

a huge Bridge the structur is being

built in yava located in the rukako

river the point where Central and South

America split this is where the

Pan-American Highway ends from the North

American side it's believed that the

migration situation might change with

the construction of a new bridge but no

one understand who actually decided to

build it funding sources are also

unclear although one version suggests

it's China it would seem what does China

have to do with any of this but it's

this country that's involved in such

projects all over the world and in

recent years a lot of Chinese people

have been passing through the Darian Gap

I'm serious According to some data in

2023 Panamanian authorities counted

15,000 Chinese citizens in the country

which is almost eight times more than in

2022 and 40 times more than in 2021

moreover from January to September 2023

US border agents detained over 22,000

Chinese citizens trying to enter the

country from Mexico and now they're

planning to build a bridge fences don't

help the newly installed barbed wire

fence in the Daran Gap couldn't stop

people from crossing the border between

Columbia and Panama on their way to the

us nearly 3 Mi of barbed wire turned out

to be useless videos posted online show

that people are still apparently using

the crossing just finding a way to get

through or bypass the wire barrier

actually with all the other dangers on

the route the wire is hardly an

obstacle illegal

coyotes while the authorities are trying

to stop people North American coyotes

are already ready to expand their range

to a new continent this North American

animal has already reached the Darion

Gap if the coyote manages to get past it

it'll become a new chapter in The

evolutionary history of the last 50

years the thing is over this time

coyotes have spread so much that all

that's left is to grab some popcorn and

Watch What Happens

Next cycling from Alaska to

Argentina on August 1st 20121 Liam

Garner from California strapped a tent

and sleeping bag to his mountain bike

and headed south he decided he would

bike all the way from Alaska to

Argentina and on January 10th 2023

Garner finally reached his destination

usua the guy rode about 20,000 miles

through 14 countries over 527 days like

you I'm also curious how did he get

across the Darian Gap this area is

obviously not for bikes and here's what

Garner himself says you can either take

a boat or fly across there's no Crossing

by land I chose to fly because it was

much cheaper than sailing across pretty

slick of them looking forward to getting

a like from you see you later

[Music]