International
USA: “In the coming days, weeks,” Panama could deport Venezuelans to a third country
“In the coming days, weeks at the latest,” Panama could begin the air deportation of Venezuelans who cross the Darién jungle, the natural border with Colombia, to third countries, as part of the agreement between the Panamanian Government and the United States signed on July 1, the US Regional Internal Security attaché, Marlen Piñeiro, assured EFE on Wednesday.
“Yes, we have approached several countries and we think that in the coming days, weeks at the latest, we will have ways to return Venezuelans to third countries where they will be safe,” said Piñeiro in an interview, who has so far been the representative of the US authorities during the deportation flights carried out by Panama since last August.
Asked if she could advance with which countries they are holding talks, she said that “not yet”: “But we have talked to several,” she acknowledged.
The agreement, signed on the first day of the new Administration of President José Raúl Mulino, contemplates the repatriation by air and based on Panamanian laws of irregular migrants who have arrived in Panama after crossing the border jungle.
The migrants
The United States finances the flights with an initial amount of 6 million dollars, of which more than 1.1 million dollars have already been used on 20 flights, the last one this morning, to countries such as Colombia, Ecuador and India, and which affected about 800 migrants.
Since the flights began, there has been a drastic reduction in the number of Colombians and Ecuadorians crossing the Darién, of 65% and 92%, respectively, according to a statement by the US authorities.
But the vast majority of migrants crossing the jungle are Venezuelans who could not be deported given the suspension, since the end of July, of diplomatic relations between Panama and Venezuela as a result of the crisis triggered after the elections.
The data from the Panamanian authorities are resounding: of the more than 263,000 migrants who crossed the Darién until the end of September, the last month with the complete figures, 67% were Venezuelans, while in 2023, when the historical record of people who had crossed this jungle, with more than 520,000, 63% also came from Venezuela.
Generalized drop in the number of migrants due to the Darién
But despite the fact that there are no deportation flights for Venezuelans, the data also indicate a generalized drop in the number of migrants, with 274,444 irregular travelers who until October 13 had arrived in Panama, 36.5% less than the 432,211 registered in the same period of 2023.
“We think it’s due to the good work that this administration has done in Panama. We also think it has to do with the proclamation made by President (American Joe) Biden on our own border in June. Those two things (had their reason), which was that people thought twice (before) coming through the irregular road,” the official stressed.
The deportations
Piñeiro also confirmed that although it had initially been said that deportations would be voluntary, “so far all the deportations that have occurred have been involuntary deportations or expulsions, consistent with Panamanian law.”
In addition, there have been complaints from migrants, as EFE testified in the Lajas Blancas migratory reception center in Darién, that family separations occurred by the immigration authorities of Panama, in particular cases in which the Colombian husband was deported, while the Venezuelan mother was allowed to continue her journey to North America.
The regional internal security attaché assured that she had no “recode of that.”
“If there is any allegation about that, we would explore it. However, I always repeat that it is Panamanian law and if Panamanian law decides that someone should be deported, for example it is possible that they have had a criminal (history), they are eligible to be deported under Panamanian law,” he said.
However, he noted that most migrants who enter through the Darién and are deported have no criminal record, but are deported for having entered Panama irregularly.
Increase in destination countries
US authorities detailed that in addition to the charter flights already made to Colombia, Ecuador and India, four irregular migrants were returned on commercial flights to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia and Turkey, but Piñeiro said that they hope to expand the nationalities.
“I can confirm that we are talking to all the countries where migrants are entering. To clarify, Panama is talking to the countries where migrants are entering to return them under Panamanian law,” he said.
According to data until October revealed by the Panamanian authorities, the main countries of origin of the migrants crossing the Darién are, in this order, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, China, Haiti, India, Peru, Vietnam and Bangladesh.
Piñeiro, although born in the United States, is the daughter of Cubans with ancestors of Spanish origin, so she says she is aware of migration, a sector in which she has also worked for the last 37 years.
That is why, he emphasizes, he asks migrants to opt for “the legal routes” of migration, because sometimes “people think they do not qualify, but yes, there are work paths, there are family routes,” while with the irregular option they put themselves in danger.
“There is a lot of risk in the Darién, not only of violence, money, exploitation, the scars that are caused to children are scars that remain for life, it is not worth it,” he said.
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
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