The Pan American Highway and the Darién Gap: continental integration and protected areas in a border zones

Abstract

Protected areas in border zones it is a recurring way to solve conflicts between neighbouring States in the international system. Oftentimes, the international boundaries suffer politics interventions that impact the local fauna and flora. In South America, the Darién Gap is one among many geopolitics strategy examples created to solve border conflicts. From the independence of Panama in 1903, the border between Panama and Colombia became a buffer zone covered by a forest, which interrupt the Pan-American Highway. The lack of connection between the two countries persisted throughout the 20th century and even today a solution is not glimpsed. Even though from the 21st century onwards, South American integration projects have received a great boost with initiatives such as IIRSA-COSIPLAN. This initiative was responsible for intense interactions between South America’s countries. In this sense, the following article presents an analysis of the recent process of integration between South America countries in an area of strategic border (the Darién Gap) and focuses on a vital highway for the economics and socials interests of the continent (Pan-American Highway).