| In a complex and sensitive situation, Panama is currently a residence of about 300 individuals from various countries including Iran, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan and China, which was deported from the United States under President Donald Trump. These migrants are being held in a hotel, where they are receiving medical attention and food as part of a migration agreement between Panama and America, according to Panama’s Security Minister Frank Ebrego. However, they are not allowed to leave the hotel, while international officials arrange to return to their original countries.
An important challenge arises as more than 40% of these migrants are not ready to return to their homes voluntarily. Some have resorted to displaying desperate messages on the windows of their hotel room, arguing for “help” and stating “we are not (SICs) in our country”. The US directly is using Panama as a transit country for exile due to difficulties in deporting individuals in some countries. Costa Rica is expected to receive a similar flight from the exile of the third country on Wednesday. Abrego also clarified that 171 out of 299 exempteds have agreed to return to their respective countries with the help of International Organization and United Nations Refugee Agency. However, the remaining 128 migrants are still being processed, and efforts are being made to find alternative destinations for them in third countries. A exiled Irish citizen has already returned to his country, while those who refuse to return to their original countries will be temporarily placed in a convenience in the remote Darren province. The Panamian government has agreed to act as a “bridge” for exile, in which the US covers all the costs of operation. The agreement was announced earlier this month, after the visit of US State Secretary Marco Rubio. Panaman President Jose Raul Mulino has faced political pressure on Trump’s dangers to resume the control of the Panama Canal, adding the complexity of the situation. The office of the Paman Ombdsman is expected to provide more updates on the position of the exiles, highlighting the challenges and possible solutions. |
