Panama Gap in the Panamericana

The road looks very different in along the way. In the US state of California, the Panamericana is a massive ten-lane highway, elsewhere, its a lot smaller. But in Panama's southeast, it just stops: there's a massive gap instead of a smooth road. About 100 kilometers are missing, before the highway continues in neighboring Colombia and further south.

Why is there a gap in the highway?

Panama says it's not continued construction because it's wary of guerilla fighters and drug dealers that could come via the highway – that's why building that stretch of the highway has been put on hold for decades. And that's a huge problem for the people living there, as Michael Marek and Sven Weniger found out. The traveled along the Panamericana and sent this report from Panama.  

Authors: Michael Marek, Sven Weniger

Presenter: Natalie Muller