Panama unveils deportation flights to China, India and Ecuador to stem US-bound migration
- For years, would-be migrants from South America and beyond have sought to cross the dangerous Darién Gap jungle on their way to the US
Panama’s government announced on Thursday additional deportation flights for migrants apprehended in the Central American nation to China, India and Ecuador, in a bid to reduce of flow of mostly US-bound migration.
Panama’s recently-inaugurated President Jose Mulino, who campaigned on a pledge to end his nation’s status as a major migrant transit point, made the announcement during his weekly press conference.
Financed by Washington, the deportation flights kicked off earlier this week with a first planeload of Colombian migrants.
The flights come less than three months before November’s US presidential election, where unlawful migration has emerged as a major issue.
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Influx of Chinese migrants on hazardous Central American route to reach US
For years, would-be migrants from South America and beyond have sought to cross the dangerous Darién Gap jungle on foot that connects Colombia with Panama en route to the United States.