Panama deported 29 Colombians on Tuesday. The flight was the first paid for by the United States under an agreement signed between the two countries in July, according to the Panamanian government.
The Colombians had entered Panama illegally through the Darién jungle, a route used by more than 500,000 migrants heading north last year.
The vast majority of them were Venezuelans.
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But at least for now, Panama is unable to deport Venezuelans because relations between the two countries have been strained since Panama – like most other countries in the region – refused to recognize the results of elections in Venezuela that would allow President Nicolás Maduro to serve another term.
The two countries have suspended their diplomatic relations.
Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino, who took office on July 1, promised to stop this flow of migration – an interest he shares with the U.S. government.
Mulino had originally said the flights were “voluntary” returns, but the people deported on Tuesday had criminal records, officials said.
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Roger Mojico, director of Panama’s immigration service, told reporters on Tuesday that Panama is talking with other countries such as Ecuador and India about coordinating repatriation flights.
