Country Reports on Terrorism 2012

training on recognition of fraudulent U.S. and Mexican identity and travel documents to local,
state, and federal officials; and bank investigators.
Countering Terrorist Finance: Mexico is a member of the Financial Action Task Force
(FATF) and the Financial Action Task Force of South America against Money Laundering, a
FATF-style regional body. Mexico’s Congress approved long-awaited anti-money laundering
legislation in late 2012, and at year’s end the law was on track for full implementation in 2013.
Through this legislation, records of transactions that would otherwise be undetectable because
they are made solely in cash must now be reported to the federal government. This represents a
significant advance over previous years that could help track some forms of potential terrorist
financing. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, we refer you to the
2013 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume 2, Money Laundering
and Financial Crimes: http://www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/index.htm.
Regional and International Cooperation: Mexico entered into an agreement with the OAS’
Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE) in 2012. CICTE is implementing a twoyear
work plan in Mexico to address specific weaknesses in legislation, licensing, investigations
and prosecution of proliferation violations, and interdiction of weapons of mass destruction
(WMD) and their components in an effort to prevent possible WMD terrorism.
PANAMA
Overview: The most direct terrorism threat in Panama was the persistent presence of a small unit
of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which used remote areas of the Darien
Region as a safe haven. The Panamanian National Border Service (SENAFRONT) undertook
several operations against the FARC in 2012, further degrading the FARC’s capabilities in
Panama. Panama continued its close cooperation with Colombia and Costa Rica to secure its
borders. Additionally, the Panama Canal Authority’s vigilance, along with international support,
contributed to the canal’s security.
Panama's Darien Region is a significant pathway for human smuggling with counterterrorism
implications. In an average month, 270 smuggled aliens enter Panama. While the majority of
these are Cubans, the Panamanian National Border Service reported a consistent flow of African,
Middle Eastern, and South Asian smuggled aliens, including from Syria, Iran, Pakistan, Sri
Lanka, Somalia, Eritrea, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia. Further, some smuggling in the Darien was
facilitated by FARC elements operating on both sides of the border. Representatives of DHS-
Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation worked with
Panamanian authorities to identify smuggled aliens with potential terrorism ties.
Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: The Government of Panama continued
its efforts to enforce its sovereignty in the Darien through more aggressive patrolling by security
forces. In January, SENAFRONT and FARC members exchanged fire near Alto Tuira, in the
Darien. In March, a FARC camp that could support more than two dozen personnel was
destroyed. In May, SENAFRONT uncovered a FARC camp near the Colombian border. In early
November, SENAFRONT seized arms and ammunition aboard a boat near the town of
Barriales. Later in November, SENAFRONT killed one FARC member, arrested eight
Colombians, and seized rifles, pistols, and 391 kilograms of cocaine near Mogue in the Darien.
186