Panama announces more migrant deportation flights to Ecuador, India and China

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.

For years, would-be migrants from South America and beyond have sought to cross the dangerous Darien Gap jungle on foot that connects Colombia with Panama en route to the United States.

Mulino did not specify the legal status of the migrants who will be flown to Ecuador or the two Asian countries, or if they have criminal records.

He noted that flights to Ecuador will take place on Aug. 29, flights to Colombia on Aug. 30, and to India on Sept. 3.

Mulino added that additional flights to Colombia will take place between Aug. 24-30, but he did not provide dates or number of flights set to take off for China.