Tensions Resurface Over U.S. Control of the Panama Canal

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.

More than 300 migrants, including Indian nationals, are currently detained at the Decapolis Hotel in Panama City as they await repatriation after being deported from the United States, according to the Associated Press. This situation arises from a recent increase in deportations initiated by former President Donald Trump's administration targeting illegal immigrants. The migrants have been documenting their plight by placing desperate messages in hotel windows, pleading for assistance and stating that they feel unsafe in their home countries. Authorities revealed that over 40% of these individuals are unwilling to return voluntarily. The Panamanian government, acting as a temporary holding facility, has assured that migrants are receiving necessary medical care and food while awaiting their return. As part of a migration agreement with the U.S., Panama is facilitating the processing of deportees. Security Minister Frank Abrego noted that 171 out of the 299 deportees have consented to return, with assistance from the International Organization for Migration and the UN Refugee Agency, while discussions continue for the others. Costa Rica is also expected to participate in accommodating additional deportees shortly.

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.