First flight of migrants who crossed the Darien River leaves Panama for Colombia

The first return flight for irregular migrants financed by the United States departed this Tuesday, August 20, from the Panamanian capital bound for Medellín, Colombia. This flight marks a milestone in the agreement between Panama and the United States to manage the return of migrants who have crossed the dangerous Darien jungle.

Flight details

The flight took off at 6:00 a.m. from Marcos A. Gelabert Airport, also known as the Albrook terminal. On board were 29 Colombian citizens, most of them young people with criminal records, who were transported in handcuffs. The head of the National Migration Service (SNM) of Panama, Roger Mojica, He informed EFE that these migrants were returned under the guise of deportation.

Context of the agreement

This flight is the first in a series scheduled under an agreement signed on July 1 between Panama and the United States. The pact, which has US support valued at 6 million dollars, seeks to manage the repatriation or deportation of irregular migrants who cross the Darien jungle. According to Mojica, the deported migrants include both those with criminal records and those who entered Panama irregularly.

Procedures and safety

At the airport, the migrants were subjected to a documentary search before boarding the plane. Among those deported was a suspected hitman for the Gulf Clanidentified through the biometric system used by the Panamanian authorities.

Return of other migrants

The Panamanian government is in the process of coordinating agreements with other countries, such as Ecuador and India, for the return of migrants from those countries. However, due to the post-electoral crisis in Venezuela, the return of Venezuelan citizens identified in the migratory flow is not planned. These migrants receive assistance at immigration stations in Darien and are allowed to continue their journey to North America.

Comments from officials

Marlen Piñeiro, the US regional homeland security attaché, warned EFE that most migrants crossing the Darien will not qualify to enter the United States. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino stressed that the return flights are “at no cost to Panama” thanks to the support of the U.S. government.

The measure reflects a coordinated effort to manage the significant migratory flow through Darien and control the transit of people seeking to reach North America.