Panama Urges Trump to Continue U.S. Aid for Migrant Deportations

Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino urged President-elect Trump to continue U.S. aid for deporting migrants. The U.S. has provided $1 million for deportations from Panama, which has facilitated flights to several countries. Mulino’s government has not deported Venezuelans due to flight restrictions. As Trump prepares to take office, he intends to initiate significant deportations, with Panama clarifying it will only repatriate its citizens.

In a call for ongoing support, Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino reached out to President-elect Donald Trump to advocate for the continuation of U.S. financial aid aimed at deporting migrants traversing through Panama toward the United States. Under the current administration, the United States has allocated $1 million to assist in the deportation of over 1,000 migrants who attempted to cross the perilous Darien jungle from Colombia into Panama since July. Mulino, who was elected with a commitment to curtail migrant transit, expressed that this aid must be preserved as Trump takes office.

Despite organizing approximately 30 deportation flights to Colombia, Ecuador, and India, Mulino’s government has refrained from deporting Venezuelans, who represent a significant proportion of the migrants. This limitation arises from a ban instituted by the Venezuelan government, preventing Panamanian aircraft from landing, following Panamanian criticisms of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s electoral legitimacy. The Darien jungle remains a critical passage for South American migrants seeking entry into the United States via Central America, having seen over half a million migrants brave its challenges in 2023.

As of now, close to 300,000 migrants have crossed the jungle, a 41 percent decline compared to the same period last year, a decrease Mulino partially attributes to the deportation flights. Trump has indicated a commitment to initiating the most extensive deportation effort in U.S. history, with reports revealing his transition team has identified Panama among the countries to which undocumented migrants might be sent back when their home nations refuse repatriation. However, Panama has clarified that it will only accept the repatriation of its own nationals.

The topic of migrant deportation in Panama reflects larger geopolitical issues concerning how nations cooperate in managing migration flows. The Darien jungle has become a critical hotspot for migrants from various countries, especially due to the escalating crises in nations like Venezuela. The United States plays a pivotal role in providing financial support to countries dealing with migrant influxes, and the incoming administration’s policies towards immigration are of significant concern to international partners like Panama. This situation highlights the intertwined nature of domestic policies in the U.S. with international relations and humanitarian issues.

In summary, President José Raúl Mulino of Panama has sought to ensure the continuation of U.S. aid for deporting migrants as the Trump administration prepares to take office. The necessity for this support is underscored by the complexities of managing migrant flows through the Darien jungle and the geopolitical dynamics involving Venezuela. As Trump plans extensive deportations, Panama maintains its stance on repatriating only its citizens, illustrating the ongoing challenges in international migration policy.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com