Panama Launches First U.S.-Funded Deportation Flight

Panama has commenced its first U.S.-funded deportation flights, repatriating 29 Colombian nationals who entered the country illegally through the Darien Gap. This initiative is part of a $6 million agreement between the U.S. and Panama, aimed at reducing the flow of mostly U.S.-bound migrants. The deported individuals, some with criminal records, were shackled and handcuffed during the process, with one allegedly linked to the Clan del Golfo drug trafficking cartel. Panama's President José Raúl Mulino, who campaigned on stopping illegal migration, supports the operation, although repatriation of Venezuelans remains complicated due to suspended diplomatic relations. The goal is to deter irregular migration by sending a clear message that the Darien route is no longer viable.