The number of undocumented migrants crossing into the US from Mexico initially surged under Joe Biden, but it has fallen sharply in recent months after his administration implemented tough new measures, including restricting the number of asylum applications it would consider.

Yesterday’s flight, which is among those measures, was the first in a $6 million (£4.6 million) programme paid for by Washington.

Mr Mulino, who is usually characterised as a centre-Right populist, has described the migrants’ plight as sad and said that many families with small children are left taking huge risks.

After taking office in July, he initially appeared to waver on his promises to implement the flights, saying that only “volunteers” would be deported. It is unclear whether the Colombians on yesterday’s flight had agreed to leave Panama, although their criminal records may have meant they were given no choice.