Over 300 Deportees, Including Indians, Seek Help from Panama Hotel

The Indian embassy in Panama has confirmed that a group of Indian migrants deported from the United States are safe at the Decapolis Hotel in Panama City, where they are being temporarily housed. This announcement follows reports of the deportees displaying signs asking for help in their hotel windows, which raised concerns about their well-being. Panamanian authorities informed the embassy that the deportees, which include individuals from various Asian countries, are being provided with essential amenities and medical attention. According to the embassy's official communication, "The embassy team has obtained consular access. We are working closely with the host government to ensure their well-being." The deportees were part of a larger group of 299 migrants sent back to Panama as part of a US immigration enforcement strategy initiated by former President Donald Trump. However, challenges arise as many deportees come from countries that do not accept direct deportation flights, necessitating their temporary stay in Panama as arrangements for their repatriation are organized. Concerns have been voiced by human rights groups regarding the treatment of the deportees and risks of returning to war-torn countries.

Since his reelection, U.S. President Donald Trump has declared intentions to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, claiming current fees for American ships are excessive and expressing concern over Chinese influence in the region. The canal was handed over to Panama in 1999 following treaties signed in 1977 under President Jimmy Carter, which mandated a gradual transfer of control and guaranteed equal treatment for all nations regarding tolls, according to official reports. The canal’s construction, completed by the U.S. in 1914, marked a significant engineering achievement and propelled the United States into global prominence. However, continuous American control over the canal zone has sparked tensions with Panama, peaking in 1964 when riots broke out during an incident involving the national flags. In the early 2000s, Panama undertook a major expansion of the canal, reportedly costing over $5.2 billion, addressing the needs of larger container ships. Trump's assertions ignore the investment and development made independently by Panama and the diminishing role of U.S. influence there, highlighted by Panama's shift in allegiance from Taiwan to Beijing in 2017.

President Donald Trump has renewed his calls for the United States to reclaim the Panama Canal, asserting that excessive fees for American ships and China's burgeoning influence over the waterway justify a reassertion of U.S. control. The Canal, completed by the U.S. in 1914, was handed back to Panama in 1999 under a treaty signed by former President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos, which ensures equal treatment of nations regarding tolls, thus contradicting Trump’s fee reduction demand, according to several analysts. The historical context reveals a long-standing struggle over the Canal, commencing with its construction by the U.S. after supporting Panama's independence from Colombia in 1903. Subsequent disagreements flared up, notably during riots in 1964 when Panamanian students clashed with U.S. forces. Following negotiations in the late 1970s, the Canal was fully transferred to Panama, a move still resented by some U.S. conservatives. China’s involvement has intensified since Panama recognized Beijing diplomatically in 2017, with major infrastructure projects increasingly executed by Chinese companies, prompting U.S. officials to warn against potential threats to national security, according to the U.S. Southern Command.