In a significant step to curb irregular migration, Panama has deported 130 Indian migrants who had entered the country through the perilous Darien jungle. This marks the first expulsion outside the Americas under a repatriation agreement signed with the United States in July 2024.
Panama’s Director of Migration, Roger Mojica, confirmed that the deportees were sent back to New Delhi on a chartered flight. This operation is part of a broader strategy supported by a $6 million pledge from Washington aimed at reducing irregular crossings at the U.S. southern border. “Irregular migration cannot continue,” stated Marlen Pineiro, U.S. Security Attaché for Central America, expressing gratitude towards Panama for its collaboration.
The Darien Gap, a treacherous region between Colombia and Panama, has become a critical route for migrants from South America heading towards the United States. Despite the dangers posed by criminal gangs and harsh environmental conditions, over half a million undocumented migrants, primarily from Venezuela, made this journey last year.
Panama and other transit countries like Mexico have faced mounting pressure from the United States to address the migration crisis, particularly in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election. The July agreement initially focuses on deporting migrants with criminal records, but it also allows for the repatriation of anyone entering Panama via the Darien Gap.
With the recent deportation, Panama has expelled a total of 219 migrants within the past two weeks, signaling its commitment to tackling irregular migration through this collaborative effort with the U.S.
