Panama announces expansion of U.S.-funded deportation flights to include migrants from Ecuador, India, China

The Panamanian government announced the expansion of U.S.-funded deportation flights from the Darien Gap, the treacherous jungle path in its border with Colombia that has become a key migration route, to include nationals from more countries.

Concretely, the José Raúl Mulino administration indicated that it will carry out flights for nationals from Ecuador, India and China. It had already conducted one for Colombians earlier this week.

Mulino did not specify the legal status of the migrants or if they have criminal records, like the Colombians did. The flight for Ecuadorians will take place on August 29, while the India one will happen on September 3. There were no precise dates for flights to China.

Washington has pledged $6 million in funding for migrant repatriations from the Central American nation in the hope of reducing irregular crossings at its own southern border. The agreement also includes U.S. support for Panama with equipment, transportation, and logistics for foreigners detected within migratory flows that violate Panamanian immigration laws.

Mulino has heavily focused on cracking down on migration through the Darien since taking office on July 1. Last year, over half a million people crossed the gap, more than half of them Venezuelans.

The country's National Border Service reported in late July that 11,363 migrants crossed the border since the first day of the month, about 9,000 fewer than the same period last year. Overall, more than 216,000 people have crossed so far. And figures are expected to continue dropping with the flights, not only due to the people effectively deported but also as a result of a deterring effect.

The Mulino administration has implemented a series of measures, including setting up barbed wire in different paths through the path. Jorge Gobea, the director general of the National Border Service, said the measure consists on 3 miles of barbed wire on five trails to channel migrants into a "humanitarian corridor."

Brazil has also announced restrictions on the entry of some nationals into the country, a move that could help stem the flow of migrants to North America.

The move will start on Monday and impact those from Asian countries requiring visas to remain in the country. Nationals from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Vietnam represent the bulk of those who request refuge on arrival. The country has received over 9,000 such petitions through July 15, over twice the amount of 2023 and the most in a decade.

It comes as documents show that many are buying flights with layovers in the country, but rather than continue to the final destination they leave the airport and begin a journey up north, The Associated Press reported. Now, those without visas will either have to continue on the plane or return to their country of origin.