More than 100 migrants deported from the United States now endure harsh conditions in a remote Panamanian detention camp near the Darien Gap, according to exclusive accounts obtained by the Associated Press. A Chinese national detained at the San Vicente facility described round-the-clock surveillance, confiscated communication devices, and no access to legal counsel.
Panama’s government moved 40% of recently arrived deportees – primarily from Afghanistan, Nepal, Russia, and Asian nations – to this isolated location after they refused repatriation. The detainee, speaking via smuggled phone, revealed:
Someone follows me even when I go to the toilet.
Key challenges facing migrants:
- No formal deportation paperwork signed
- Restricted movement within camp grounds
- Zero offers of legal assistance
This situation stems from a Trump-era agreement designating Panama and Costa Rica as temporary holding zones for U.S. deportees. While Panama claims these are reception centers, detainees report prison-like conditions with armed guards monitoring all activities.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) distanced itself from the operations, stating: We do not have direct involvement in detention practices. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department publicly praised Panama’s cooperation on third-country national returns.
Controversy erupted when authorities initially confined 300 deportees in Panama City hotels under police guard. Though 13 compliant migrants have been repatriated, those resisting remain in legal limbo. Advocates argue this system violates international protocols by:
- Blocking access to asylum claims
- Failing to provide translation services
- Ignoring persecution risks in home countries
With migration through the Darien Gap declining 72% since 2022, Panama now repurposes former waystations as detention hubs. Legal experts warn this sets dangerous precedents for migrant rights across Central America.
