Panama deported 29 citizens with criminal records from Colombia who entered through the Darien jungle. The action becomes the first application of the migration agreement signed with the United States in July.
Before boarding the Fokker 50 aircraft bound for Bogotá, the authorities inspected each migrant with metal detectors. During their transfer, they were handcuffed and prevented from carrying luggage.
The 29 people are the first passengers on repatriation flights for migrants crossing the Darien jungle on their way to the US.
With an initial sum of six million dollars, Washington signed an agreement to finance the flights and thus facilitate deportation from the Albrook airport in the Panamanian capital.
Luis Felipe Icaza, Panama’s deputy security minister, confirmed that the joint agreement financed the trip, and indicated that the next flight would leave “on Friday or Saturday.”
Marlene Piñeiro, the US Homeland Security attaché, explained that “the memorandum covers anyone, not just criminals.” “In addition to charter flights, we are supporting with commercial flights” for the return of migrants to their countries of origin, she said.
Roger Mojica, director of the National Immigration Service of Panama, noted that among those deported were people with criminal records, such as a member of the Clan del Golfo who committed several murders.
However, Mojica said that due to the diplomatic crisis with Venezuela, it is not possible to deport migrants to that country at this time.
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2024-08-25 08:50:12