Panamanian immigration authorities deported 108 Colombian citizens on a single charter flight this Thursday. The operation forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to enforce migration control and national security.
The group, consisting of 96 men and 12 women, departed from Panama aboard a government-chartered aircraft bound for Medellin, Colombia. Flight number 62 was organized and financed by the country’s National Migration Service (Panama). The plane took off from Captain Juan Delgado Air Base, located at the old terminal of Tocumen International Airport, under strict security protocols.
Legal Basis for the Mass Deportation
Official information reveals a dual legal approach. Ninety-four of the individuals faced expulsion after accepting a sentence reduction under Presidential Decree No. 1 from January 7, 2026. Authorities deported the remaining 14 for violating migration laws and committing administrative offenses.
These expulsions are directly linked to high-impact crimes. The list includes international drug trafficking, human trafficking, robbery, and terrorism. The move underscores a hardened stance on foreign nationals who commit serious offenses within Panama’s borders.
“The National Migration Service reiterates that Panamanian migration policy remains firm in its compliance with the law,” officials stated. [Translated from Spanish] The agency added that its actions are executed with responsibility, respect for human rights, and inter-institutional cooperation.
This charter flight represents the 62nd such operation conducted by the migration service. It signals a continued and potentially escalating strategy. Officials confirmed these coordinated removals will persist as a core component of national security policy.
Ongoing Migration Enforcement Strategy
The mass deportation is not an isolated event. It fits within a broader, integrated strategy to strengthen territorial control. Panama’s government is actively reinforcing its borders and immigration enforcement mechanisms.
This operation follows other security initiatives by Panamanian authorities. Recent actions include a major coastal drug raid in Veraguas conducted by the servicio nacional. The deportation flight also aligns with wider civic enforcement measures, como parte of a comprehensive approach to law and order.
Panama’s geographic position makes it a transit point for regional migration. The government’s latest action demonstrates its intent to deter illegal entry and criminal activity by foreign nationals. Officials plan to continue these charter flights regularly, applying both expulsion and deportation procedures based on individual legal cases.