No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsLatin AmericaPanama Receives First US Deportation Flight Under Trump Administration

Panama Receives First US Deportation Flight Under Trump Administration

Panama said it had received a first US military plane transporting 119 deportees of various nationalities, who will now be repatriated to their own countries. President Jose Raul Mulino, who has offered his country as a stopover for migrants expelled from the United States by the Donald Trump administration, said the plane arrived Wednesday with “people of the most diverse nationalities,” many from Asia. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Panama two weeks ago, meeting Mulino in the midst of a dispute over ownership of the Panama Canal, which Trump had vowed the United States would be “taking back.”

After the visit, Rubio voiced optimism Panama would address US concerns, including over alleged Chinese influence on the operation of the critical US-built waterway. Mulino also promised to step up cooperation on the new administration’s top priority — repatriating undocumented migrants.

He offered Rubio the use of an airstrip in the town of Meteti in Darien, the dense jungle that has become a major crossing point for migrants seeking to exit South America en route to the United States. Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden had already sealed a deal after Mulino’s election last year to provide $6 million to assist in expelling migrants. 

Since then, Panama has closed several routes in the Darien and deported migrants on flights to countries including Colombia and Ecuador. On his first day in office last month, Trump declared a national emergency at the southern US border and vowed to deport “millions and millions” of migrants. – Flown out soon – Mulino said a US Air Force plane landed at Howard west of the capital Panama City Wednesday, and the 119 migrants onboard were taken to hotels.

From there, they will be transported to a shelter in the Darien, and flown home on repatriation flights from an airstrip in the jungle. “We hope to get them out of there as soon as possible,” said Mulino, as he underlined the “contribution that Panama is making on the migration issue.”

The deportees included citizens of China, Pakistan and other Asian countries, said the president, adding more planes are expected from the United States soon. Latin America is the original home of most of the United States estimated 11 million undocumented migrants. Many had made the dangerous journey through the Darien, braving treacherous terrain, wild animals and criminal gangs for a chance at a better life. On Tuesday, Panamanian police turned back dozens of migrants, mostly Venezuelans, trying to return home after abandoning their journey to the United States over Trump’s deportation intentions.

Riot police forced the group to return to Costa Rica for an orderly repatriation process. Since Trump took office on January 20, undocumented migrants have also flown to Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Guatemala, as well as the notorious Guantanamo US military base in Cuba.

Trending Now

Legal Battle Erupts Over Hutchison’s Panama Canal Port Concession

Panama’s president, José Raúl Mulino, said that he wants to negotiate a new concession contract with the Hong Kong–based Hutchison Holdings subsidiary to continue...

Costa Rican Scientists Cut Microalgae Farming Costs by 95%

A team led by Costa Rican biologist Maritza Guerrero has developed a natural biostimulant using microalgae that promises to revolutionize agriculture. The product, named...

Costa Rica’s Barra Del Colorado: The Perfect Place to Disconnect and Recharge

One of the greatest gifts Costa Rica offers its visitors is the rare chance to truly disconnect from the outside world. This modern world...

US Doubles Bounty to $50 Million on Venezuela’s Maduro

The Trump administration stepped up pressure on Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro today by offering a $50 million reward for tips that lead to his capture....

Costa Rica Detains Two in Killing of U.S. Citizen

The Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) has arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of American businessman Eshraghollah Vatani. Vatani was reported missing at...

Costa Rica Hosts Global Research on Sharks and Pollution

Bahía Santa Elena is one of the best-preserved marine areas in the Costa Rica, renowned for its biological richness, scenic beauty, and ecological importance....
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica