Costa Rica executes third deportation flight of 2026 with support from the United States
The Professional Migration Police of Costa Rica carried out a new deportation operation this Wednesday, August 26, managing the transfer of 20 foreigners who were in an irregular migratory situation in the country. This operation marks the third charter flight carried out so far in the year 2026, consolidating the efforts of local authorities to regularize migratory status in the national territory.
The flight, which took off from Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela, has Colombia and Ecuador as its final destination. The group of deportees is composed of 14 Colombian citizens (12 men and two women) and six Ecuadorians (all men). The aircraft will make a first stop in Colombia to disembark its nationals, before continuing to Ecuador with the rest of the group.
Criminal background and international cooperation
The director of the Professional Migration Police, Edwin Miranda, highlighted that several of the deported individuals had already served judicial sentences in Costa Rica for various crimes. Among the recorded offenses are cases of robbery, drug trafficking, attempted homicide, and violations of the Psychotropic Substances Law.
Here we have the transfer of 20 people in an irregular status within the country. Some have already served sentences for various crimes, including robbery and other offenses.
Edwin Miranda, Director of the Professional Migration Police.
This operation was made possible thanks to close cooperation with the United States Government. As Miranda explained, the U.S. embassy provided the technical support and resources necessary to execute the transfer, strengthening mutual collaboration mechanisms regarding security and migration control. With this action, the number of people deported via charter flights in 2026 rises to 78.
Commitment to migration control
- Continuity in control operations and verification of migratory status throughout the national territory.
- Rigorous application of administrative measures established by Costa Rican legislation.
- Prioritization of cases linked to criminal proceedings once the corresponding judicial sentences have been served.
Costa Rican immigration authorities reaffirmed that they will maintain active controls to identify foreign citizens who violate immigration laws, ensuring that each procedure is carried out in accordance with established legal protocols to ensure tranquility and order within the country.
