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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

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A member of Panama’s Tactical Aeronaval Operations group watches as migrants are deported to Colombia from Panama City on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

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.

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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

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.

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