The United States has agreed to pay for flights and provide additional support to Panama to help remove migrants under a new agreement. Panama’s new president, José Raúl Mulino, has pledged to shut down the dangerous Darien Gap used by migrants traveling to the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas signed the agreement during Mulino’s inauguration, aiming to reduce smuggling and deter irregular migration.

The U.S. will cover repatriation costs and provide logistical support to send migrants back to their countries. The program will be under Panama’s control, with U.S. assistance in training and screening migrants. This agreement is part of the Biden administration’s efforts to show control over immigration and border security amidst criticism and aims to address the high number of migrants using the Darien Gap route.