Under Project TERMINUS, an INTERPOL Washington team recently traveled to Panama City to deliver and install equipment and technology. This initiative aims to assist Panamanian authorities in detecting and intercepting transnational criminals and terrorists before they reach U.S. borders. The deployment builds on a previous mission in June 2024, where INTERPOL data was integrated into Panama's Border Information and Analysis Targeting Unit (BIATU).
“Project TERMINUS reflects our commitment to forward-deploy U.S. capabilities and build out trusted partnerships in key locations that enhance global security,” said INTERPOL Washington’s Acting Deputy Chief of Staff Keith Hood, who oversees the program. “This project with our Panamanian partners serves as a model of success for TERMINUS. By equipping one of our closest allies against cartels with the tools and training they need to disrupt transnational crime at its source, we helped protect our own communities, the homeland, and the region at large.”
The visit was coordinated with the U.S. Department of Justice’s International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) and funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism. The team participated in operational briefings with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Panamanian National Police (PNP), Panama Immigration, and the Panamanian Passport Authority. During their visit, essential equipment was donated to both the PNP and Panama's immigration fusion center (UPAPF), enhancing operational capacity.
The team also observed how SENAFRONT—the Panamanian border security agency—has connected to INTERPOL’s I-24/7 system, marking a significant milestone in border integration efforts.
Project TERMINUS continues as a vital tool for strengthening international police cooperation, disrupting transnational threats, and promoting shared regional security.
