Panama’s national government has officially updated the boundaries of the Darién National Park. The Ministry of Environment confirmed the action this month following a public consultation process that spanned over ten years.
The change was formalized by Executive Decree No. 3, dated December 31, 2025, and published in the Official Gazette on January 13, 2026. President José Raúl Mulino and Environment Minister Juan Carlos Navarro oversaw the final administrative step. Officials stated the entire initiative adhered to current environmental regulations.
The process included technical analyses, legal reviews, and multiple citizen consultations within the protected area. Dialogue sessions with local communities and authorities were also a key component. This lengthy procedure, the ministry asserts, ensured both legal grounding and extensive territorial participation.
“This decree reaffirms and strengthens the Darién National Park as a protected area of the Republic of Panama,” a ministry statement read. [Translated from Spanish] It formally establishes the park’s place within the National System of Protected Areas (Panama) and maintains its management category as a national park.
Authorities aim to bolster conservation of one of the most vital ecosystems in Panama and the Mesoamerican region. The update is designed to secure protection for its biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides. It also reiterates the park’s status as a natural heritage site for the nation.
Securing a Natural Legacy for Future Generations
The Ministry of Environment (Panama) announced it will continue coordinating actions with communities linked to the park and its buffer zone. The goal is guaranteeing the protection and conservation of this natural reserve. Benefits are intended for both present and future generations.
This formalization provides clearer legal standing for the vast parque nacional darien. It helps prevent encroachment and unregulated development within its newly clarified limits. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its immense biological wealth.
Conservation groups have long advocated for such definitive action. The Darién region contains some of Central America’s last extensive tracts of pristine rainforest. Its protection is considered critical for continental wildlife corridors and climate resilience.
The government’s move signals a commitment to preserving this ecological treasure. It follows a complex history of land use discussions in the remote province. Finalizing the boundaries provides a more stable framework for managing the area’s immense natural value, similar to protections for other key sites like the parque nacional of Coiba Island.
Park rangers and environmental officials now have a strengthened mandate. Their work focuses on biodiversity monitoring, scientific research, and sustainable community engagement. The decree is a foundational step for long-term environmental governance in a challenging and remote landscape.
This legal achievement concludes a chapter of planning and negotiation. It opens another focused on active stewardship. The ministry’s ongoing coordination with local residents will be crucial for the park’s real-world protection, ensuring the nacional darien remains a cornerstone of Panama’s natural heritage.