US Deportees Abandoned in Darién Jungle: A Human Rights Crisis?
Zheng Lijuan, a Chinese woman deported from the US to Panama as part of a larger group of migrants, escaped from a Panama City hotel. Her escape, aided by locals, followed the transfer of 170 deportees to a Darién region camp near the Colombian border. This action is part of a deal between Panama and the US to manage migrant flow, spurred by Trump-era immigration policies and threats regarding the Panama Canal. The agreement leaves many migrants fearing repercussions upon return to their home countries, highlighting the precarious situation created by this policy.
John Q. Hosedrinker