A press release from the Foreign Affairs Ministry states that the first air operation, yesterday, with the arrival of 119 undocumented migrants, is part of the bilateral cooperation agreements on migratory matters.

Last July, Panama signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States for the deportation of migrants who illegally crossed the Darien Gap, however, this is the first time that the country receives a flight from the northern country under this agreement.

The measure attracted attention, since the Foreign Ministry announced last December that the country would not receive migrants of other nationalities.

However, the head of state himself, Jose Raul Mulino, told the press that the arrival of the first flight with 119 migrants repatriated from the United States took place at the Panama Pacifico Airport and another two are expected to complete a total of 360 people.

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Ruiz-Hernandez, the migrants transferred in the first flight come from countries such as Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkey, China, Vietnam, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

He specified that of the total number of people in transit, 37 are women and 82 are men, who have been duly registered and do not have criminal records.

The official added that funding for the transfer is being provided by the U.S. government through the International Organization for Migration and the UN Refugee Agency.

The costs include lodging and transportation of the migrants while they remain in Panama, prior to their departure to their respective countries of origin.

The repatriation process includes a period of temporary stay in Panama.

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