article: He is referring to the prospect of a peace deal between the Colombian government and left-wing rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc). Most of Panama's security problems originate south of its border, in Colombia. Colombia is one of the world's top three producers of coca, the raw ingredient of cocaine, and huge amounts of it are smuggled from Colombia to the United States. Panama, Colombia's northern neighbour, is often the first stop for those smuggling the drug by land or speedboat. Colombia is also the scene of the continent's longest-running armed conflict. For more than 50 years, Farc rebels have been fighting the Colombian government. The jungle area between Colombia and Panama was for years a rebel stronghold. From a helicopter, Gen Abrego points out small hamlets in Darien province, on the Panamanian side of the border. "This is where the Farc would hold its football tournament," he says pointing to a clearing in the jungle. "And this is where they would rest after carrying out their attacks." In 2008, almost two-thirds of Darien province was under rebel control, he says. Combating the rebels has been no mean feat for Panama, which, along with Costa Rica, is one of only two countries in Latin America not to have a standing army. Panama's military was disbanded shortly after the 1989 US invasion which overthrew military ruler Gen Manuel Noriega. A constitutional amendment in 1994 later prohibited the creation of a standing army for good. It therefore comes as little surprise that for years Farc rebels could move almost freely from Colombia across the 225-km-long border into Darien to rest and regroup. It is only since the creation of the Panamanian Border Police, Senafront, in 2008 that the government has had a permanent presence in the area. That increased security presence is in Colombia's interest too. It has long been frustrated by the ease with which the rebels could escape arrest by slipping across the border. The two countries co-operate closely on security and run a joint control post called La Union. La Union is located on top of a mountain in dense jungle. It sits right across one of the main routes the Farc used to enter into the country. As we land, it is steeped in mist, giving it an eerie feel. La Union does not consist of much more than a few wooden bunkers covered with sandbags. The lookouts are manned by young policemen on the Panamanian side, and young soldiers on the Colombian side, all of whom look rather relaxed, almost bored. The Colombians, who are stationed here for four months at a time, keep themselves busy by building a new accommodation hut which they hope will prove more comfortable than the tents they are currently sleeping in. There does not seem to be much of a threat here, but Gen Abrego assures me this post and others like it are key in keeping the rebels at bay and keeping the local population safe. "For a long time, the only authority in these parts was the commander
summary: "Peace is not a bad thing, but it's unlikely to solve our problems," says Director of Panama's Border Police, Frank Abrego.