U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined Panamanian Minister of Public Security Frank Abrego at Albrook Airport today to oversee a charter repatriation flight, underscoring the joint efforts between the United States and Panama to curb illegal migration and prevent individuals with criminal backgrounds from moving further north toward the U.S. border.
Minister Abrego, speaking alongside Secretary Rubio, emphasized the strategic alliance between Panama and the U.S., noting that the latest repatriation effort involved several individuals with criminal records, as well as others who had violated Panama’s migration laws.
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“We continue developing a memorandum of understanding and reinforcing the strong partnership we share with the United States,” Abrego stated.
Secretary Rubio echoed this sentiment, describing the current migration crisis as one of the greatest tragedies of the modern era, impacting not only the U.S. but also nations throughout Latin America.
“Our border doesn’t begin at Texas or Mexico; it begins a lot farther down,” Rubio said. “The goal of our partnership is to create incentives so people don’t make that dangerous trip in the first place.”
Rubio stressed that many individuals attempting illegal migration fall victim to human traffickers, who exploit their vulnerability for financial gain. He pointed to today’s charter repatriation flight, which included six or seven individuals with criminal histories, as an example of how cooperation between the U.S. and Panama prevents bad actors from moving further north.
“This program shows that when we work together, we can send a clear message: If you come irregularly, you may be stopped and returned to your country of origin,” Rubio said. “It helps stabilize the region and keeps our communities safer.”
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Rubio highlighted that U.S. taxpayer dollars—allocated through the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration—are actively funding these repatriation flights, allowing Panama to efficiently remove individuals who pose security risks.
The State Department recently issued a waiver to facilitate these operations, and Rubio indicated that a broader waiver is forthcoming to sustain the program.
“This is an example of a program that strengthens America’s security while reinforcing partnerships with willing allies like Panama,” Rubio said. “The numbers show that this approach works, and we’re going to keep doing it.”
The U.S.-Panama migration control partnership, according to Rubio, serves as a model for tackling illegal migration at its source rather than waiting for individuals to arrive at the U.S. border.
With ongoing instability in Latin America, the Biden administration previously took a hands-off approach to regional migration issues. Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, however, the State Department is now prioritizing collaboration with key allies like Panama to tackle illegal migration before it escalates into a crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.
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Rubio confirmed that further cooperation with Panama is expected, with additional flights and border security measures planned in the coming months. He reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to addressing the root causes of illegal migration and ensuring that those with criminal backgrounds do not make it to the U.S.
“This is about keeping America safe and stabilizing the region,” Rubio concluded. “And we couldn’t do it without partners like Panama.”
This event marks one of the first major international actions taken by Secretary Rubio since his appointment as Secretary of State under President Trump.
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