President José Raúl Mulino announced the first direct flight from Panama to Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, carrying 70 Venezuelan immigrants enrolled in Panama's voluntary return program.
The head of state once again highlighted the drastic drop in the flow of irregular migrants arriving in Panama en route to North America, especially the United States, over the last year and a half. This humanitarian crisis, according to the country's authorities, cost the state millions of dollars.
In 2025, 3,054 irregular travelers arrived in Panama, a number similar to the levels of 2012 and 2013, when 3,430 and 3,140 arrived, respectively. This year's figure is far below the 302,203 travelers who passed through Panama heading to the U.S.
«This is the first flight to Caracas. 70 Venezuelan immigrants are returning voluntarily to their country, as I said, a direct flight to Caracas, we no longer have to go through the triangle via Colombia and all the hassle that meant,» the governor stated.
Mulino did not provide further details, so for now it is unknown which airline will make the trip to Caracas, which is served by Simón Bolívar International Airport, where several international airlines have temporarily suspended flights due to operational risks associated with the unprecedented U.S. military anti-drug operation in 2024.
«This Monday, flight number 60 under our voluntary return program will take place,» he added.
