It has been reported that the first flight took off from California, carrying migrants from China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan. The deportation to Panama follows U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Panama last week, as well as threats from former President Trump to take control of the Panama Canal, NYT writes.
More than 100 migrants on the first flight had entered the U.S. illegally. The report notes that deporting migrants to their home countries — such as China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan — is often difficult for the U.S.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino confirmed in a press conference on February 13 that a U.S. Air Force flight landed overnight at an airport outside Panama City, carrying 119 people from "various nationalities."
The migrants have been accommodated in local hotels and will soon be transferred to a shelter in the Darién Province in eastern Panama. The process is being monitored by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which will facilitate their repatriation to their home countries.
"We hope they will be removed from here as soon as possible. This is another contribution Panama is making to migration issues," President Mulino stated.
It has been revealed that the U.S. is funding these flights and will also cover the costs of repatriating the migrants from Panama.
Following Trump’s strong threats and diplomatic pressure, Latin American countries are assisting the U.S. This policy of mass deportation could introduce a new method of dealing with migrants. However, the fate of those sent to Panama — a country with a different language and culture — remains uncertain, NYT notes.
The Panamanian government has also announced plans to send the next group of migrants to a small town south of Gaple next week.
During the press conference on February 13, President Mulino mentioned that two more military aircraft would arrive in Panama in the coming days, bringing around 360 additional migrants. The International Organization for Migration has stated that, at the Panamanian government's request, it is assisting the recently arrived migrants, including facilitating their return to their home countries.
The Trump administration is planning to expand deportations not only to Panama but also to El Salvador and Guatemala. Both countries have agreed to this arrangement. Meanwhile, the administration is holding serious discussions with other Central and Latin American nations about further deportations.
