|  |     Reisewarnungen   
          
            
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 | PANAMA | 12. April 2003 |  
              | The
                Darien Gap begins at the end of the Pan American Highway (at
                Yaviza, about 230 km southeast of Panama City) and ends at the
                Colombian border. Because of the extremely volatile situation at
                the border with Colombia, the Darien Gap is a "Red
                Zone" under Panamanian regulations. The area also includes
                parts of Darien National Park and privately owned nature
                reserves and tourist resorts. Only Panamanian police and the
                local indigenous population frequent this area. There have been
                numerous cases of deaths and disappearances in the Darien Gap.
                Travel beyond Yaviza is very dangerous and should be avoided. 
 Violent anti-government demonstrations and protest marches
                frequently occur in Panama City. Demonstrators, including
                university and high school students, labour union members and
                teachers, have in the past staged rallies at Panama City
                landmarks and public parks. Because of the unpredictable nature
                of these demonstrations and the potential for violence, Canadian
                citizens resident in or visiting Panama should exercise caution,
                avoid demonstrations and disturbances, and monitor news
                broadcasts closely.
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              | Canadian
                Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade |    
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