Despite Tensions Regarding the Canal, U.S. and Panama Work to Expand Deportation Efforts

By Cora Kirby

The Trump administration is continuing its deportation efforts and sent undocumented immigrants to Panama this week. A military plane left California on Wednesday night with more than 100 migrants from countries including Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan. This development comes after a recent meeting in Panama between President José Raúl Mulino of Panama and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and following repeated threats from President Donald Trump to seize the Panama canal.

President Mulino told the media that the flight was the first of three planned flights expected to bring around 360 deported migrants from the U.S. to Panama. The Darién region of Panama is acting as a layover point to shelter U.S. deportees who are being sent back to their countries of origin. The U.S. has historically struggled to deport migrants from Africa and Asia due to geographical limitations, but the Trump administration has been successful in convincing countries within close proximity to bear some of the responsibility.

The cooperation between Mulino and the Trump administration signals a steady relationship between the U.S. and Panama. It is unclear if President Trump will make future statements regarding taking over the Panama Canal, but for now the threat appears to be mitigated.