A growing number of Latin American migrants who have given up hope of reaching the United States are returning to their home countries in South America through a sea route in Panama, which poses new risks,

Venezuelan migrants Ysarlyn Molina and Lisbianny Amaya, who were hoping to reach the U.S. and decided to return to their country due to U.S. President Donald Trump's new immigration policies, rest as they wait for a boat to take them to the Colombian border, in Gardi Sugdub, Panama, February 23, 2025. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun

Panama says it’s working to formalize a route long used to smuggle migrants on the way to the U.S., which is now being increasingly used to return migrants to South America in a reverse flow triggered

The ordeal of those returning has been further highlighted a tragedy last Friday, when a boat carrying 21 migrants capsized in rough waters

Venezuelan migrants handed over to Mexico like it’s a U.S. immigration detention facility. Families from Central Asia flown to Panama and Costa Rica to await voluntary repatriation to their countries.

Panama says it’s working to formalize a route ... Migrants from countries like Venezuela and Colombia, unwilling to once again risk their lives crossing the Darien, have paid boats to carry ...