A flight carrying 199 Venezuelans deported from the US has arrived in Venezuela, marking the resumption of deportation flights after a brief pause due to diplomatic tensions. This comes after both governments reached a new agreement, allowing the Trump administration's efforts to continue facilitating the deportation of undocumented migrants.
US-Venezuela Deportation Flights Resume After Diplomatic Agreement
US-Venezuela Deportation Flights Resume After Diplomatic Agreement
After a brief halt in deportation flights, the US and Venezuela have reinstated their agreement, facilitating the return of undocumented migrants.
A flight carrying 199 Venezuelans deported from the United States has landed at Simón Bolívar airport near Caracas, marking the return of deportation flights after a stoppage that had lasted several weeks. The resumption follows a diplomatic agreement reached between the US and Venezuela, enabling the Trump administration's initiative to deport undocumented migrants to proceed once more.
The flight arrived early on Monday, with those disembarking joyfully waving their arms upon returning home. These deportees had earlier been transferred from Texas, via Honduras, to Venezuela aboard a flight operated by the national carrier, Conviasa.
Previously, US repatriation flights to Venezuela had been stalled after a licensing issue that arose when the Trump administration revoked rights for Venezuela to export certain oil products to the US. However, the two nations, despite their lack of diplomatic relations, managed to negotiate a new plan for the return of deported Venezuelans.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro characterized the flights as an opportunity to "rescue and free migrants from prisons in the US." Meanwhile, the US Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs referred to the deportees as "illegal aliens" without legal grounds for remaining in the United States.
The head of Venezuela's National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, highlighted the perspective that migration should not be categorized as a crime. This sentiment is in stark contrast to the US stance, which views unauthorized migration as a violation of immigration laws.
The arrangement for repatriation flights initially came about through discussions between Trump's special envoy, Richard Grenell, and Venezuelan authorities earlier this year. Maduro pointed out that previous US actions, specifically regarding oil sanctions, had created complications in their communications, delaying earlier agreements.
Prior to the resumed flights, the deportation of 238 Venezuelans to a notorious prison in El Salvador had sparked outrage, as families argued that many of the deported individuals had no ties to criminal organizations. Following these incidents, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned of increasing sanctions on Venezuela if they continued to refuse accepting their deported citizens.
In response to the recent diplomatic agreement, Maduro ordered his government to take the necessary steps to ensure the return of detained migrants, signaling a renewed commitment to addressing the complex issue of migration between the two nations.
