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Rubio Observes Deportation Flight As U.S. Pushes Immigration Crackdown


US Senate, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
US Senate, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons


Why It Matters?


The Biden administration is intensifying efforts to curb illegal migration, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally witnessing a deportation flight in Panama. The move highlights the administration’s focus on deterrence and international cooperation in migration control.


Inside The Deportation Flight


  • Rubio observed a flight carrying 43 migrants—32 men and 11 women—back to Colombia from Panama.

  • The migrants had crossed the Darien Gap, a dangerous jungle route, before being detained by Panamanian authorities.

  • The U.S. has provided $2.7 million in financial aid to Panama for deportation flights.


Panama’s Role In U.S. Migration Policy


  • Since July 2023, Panama has conducted 44 deportation flights, sending nearly 2,000 migrants—mostly Colombians and Ecuadorians—back to their home countries.

  • Panama has seen a 90% decrease in crossings through the Darien Gap compared to the previous year, crediting patrols and controlled entry points.

  • President José Raúl Mulino has reaffirmed Panama’s cooperation with the U.S. while withdrawing from China’s Belt and Road Initiative under U.S. pressure.


Bigger Picture


  • Trump has been pressuring countries to accept deported migrants, briefly imposing penalties on Colombia for initially refusing U.S. flights.

  • Panama remains one of the few nations actively cooperating with U.S. migration policies.

  • However, Venezuela Is Not Accepting Deported Migrants From Panama, complicating broader efforts to manage migration in the region.


What They’re Saying


  • Rubio called mass migration a global crisis, emphasizing that many migrants face exploitation and hardship on their journey.

  • He noted that the U.S. border begins far south, stating, “Our border doesn’t begin at Texas or Mexico. It begins a lot farther down.”

  • Rubio also highlighted the success of Panama’s efforts in reducing illegal migration, calling it an “effective way to stem the flow.”


What’s Next?


Rubio’s trip continues in El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, where migration will remain a key topic. Meanwhile, the U.S. is navigating a freeze in foreign aid, with limited waivers granted for critical programs in affected countries.



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