First U.S.-Sponsored Migrant Deportation Flight Leaves Panama

The first flight of deported migrants left Panama, part of a new strategy to reduce the mostly U.S.-bound flow of people that crosses the treacherous jungle connecting Central and South America.

Financed by Washington, the flights come less than three months before November's U.S. presidential election. They mark a new means of addressing migration, which has emerged as a top issue in the contest between former Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

Panama’s Security Deputy Minister, Luis Felipe Icaza, said:“On July 1st the government of the President signed an MoU (memorandum of mutual understanding) with the United States to support and provide help in issues of migration and national safety. Complying with that MoU, today we have the first flight within that agreement sponsored by the United States embassy. We have had previous flights paid for by the Panamanian government. We hope we can regularize paperwork workflows of migrants as we move forward.”

The first flight took off from Panama City carrying 30 Colombians, according to Marlen Pineiro, an official with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. All with criminal records in their home country and apprehended after crossing the Darien Gap jungle connecting Colombia with Panama. The deportees were led to the plane shackled and handcuffed.

More than half a million migrants crossed the Darien Gap last year, a record high, led by fleeing Venezuelans and others from across the Americas and beyond.

The deportation flights will increase in frequency. They form part of a July deal between U.S. officials and Panama's new President Jose Mulino, who campaigned on a pledge to end his country's status as a transit point.

U.S. officials have previously disclosed a $6-million budget for the flights and are training Panamanians. They said the repatriations are implemented in accordance with Panama's laws.