Panama has launched its first U.S.-funded migrant repatriation flight, deporting 29 Colombian nationals from Panama City to Medellín on August 20, as reported by Reuters. This development is part of a new agreement between the Panamanian and U.S. governments aimed at addressing the surge of irregular migration through the perilous Darién Gap, a jungle region that connects Panama and Colombia.

The first flight, according to CNN, included migrants with criminal records, as confirmed by Panama’s Deputy Security Minister Luis Felipe Icaza. Among the deportees was an alleged member of the Clan del Golfo, a notorious Colombian criminal organization. The migrants were escorted by Panamanian authorities, handcuffed as they boarded the plane.

The deportation flights seem to be part of a broader strategy by Panama’s government, led by President José Raúl Mulino, to crack down on illegal migration. Mulino, who took office in early July, has made addressing the migration crisis a key priority, as the region continues to grapple with the challenges posed by large-scale human movement.

Panama’s actions follow a memorandum of cooperation signed with the United States on July 1, which seeks to reduce the number of migrants crossing Panama en route to the United States. The Darién Gap, known for its treacherous terrain and harsh conditions, has become a major corridor for migrants, with over half a million people attempting the journey last year alone.

In recent months, Panama has taken additional steps to deter migrants from using this route, including placing barbed wire across several key pathways in the Darién jungle. U.S. Department of Homeland Security official Marlen Piñeiro reiterated the dangers of this journey, as stated by CNN, urging migrants to avoid the Darién route during a press conference on Tuesday.

Panama’s migration agency chief, Roger Mojica, emphasized that while the current flights are focused on Colombia, efforts are underway to coordinate repatriation flights to other countries, including Ecuador and India. However, he noted that no flights are currently planned to Venezuela, given the ongoing economic and political crises there.

With more flights expected to follow, including another scheduled for August 23, Panama is signaling its commitment to curbing unauthorized migration through the Darién Gap. This initiative highlights the ongoing regional efforts to manage migration routes, as countries across the Americas seek to address the root causes and consequences of the migrant crisis, which is critical for short-term peace. However, broader peace and stability in the region will depend on addressing the root causes of migration, including economic disparities, violence, and political instability in migrants’ home countries.