Panama Deports Cameroonian Passport Holders in U.S.-Backed Crackdown on Irregular Migration

According to official diplomatic correspondence between the Embassy of Cameroon in Brazil and the Ministry of External Relations in Yaoundé, the individuals—currently claiming Cameroonian nationality—were detained on Panamanian territory while en route to the United States. A special charter flight operated by Omni Air International (OY3148/OAE3148), a U.S.-registered aircraft with tail number N234AX, was authorized to land in Douala, Cameroon on May 7, 2025, at 08:30 local time to return the deportees.

The flight, part of a broader repatriation effort coordinated between the United States, Panama, and several African and Asian nations, was scheduled to cover a multi-country route including Senegal, Cameroon, Kenya, India, Nepal, and Kuwait, with further transit planned for Ireland before returning to the United States and Panama by May 10.

The deportation forms part of an intensified crackdown on irregular migration, with Panama's National Migration Service coordinating the return of 82 individuals from six countries—Bangladesh, Cameroon, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Of these, 12 Cameroonian nationals were documented with valid passports, while 10 others had no travel documentation.

The development raises questions within Cameroonian civil society and political circles regarding the authenticity of the deportees’ nationality. Critics allege that many may have obtained Cameroonian documents fraudulently, potentially linked to ongoing concerns about the alleged misuse of national identification systems for political or electoral gains. Such allegations have surfaced periodically, pointing to instances where foreign nationals are purportedly granted Cameroonian citizenship through non-transparent processes.

In response to the incident, the Cameroonian ambassador to Brazil, Martin A. Mbeng, formally communicated the matter to the Ministry of External Relations in Yaoundé, attaching supporting diplomatic notes from the Embassy of Panama. Authorities have yet to comment on whether the identities and documents of the deportees will be subjected to verification upon arrival.

Meanwhile, human rights observers caution that the situation underscores the complexity of international migration enforcement, especially amid overlapping geopolitical and domestic security interests. The Panamanian authorities were accompanied by 40 migration officers to ensure the orderly repatriation of the detainees, who were under escort throughout the process.

The issue of fraudulent documentation remains sensitive in Cameroon, a country already grappling with security challenges and political tensions. This incident may further ignite public debate over national identity integrity and the broader implications of passport misuse in transnational migration routes.