First Deportation Flight to Venezuela from the U.S. After Repatriation Agreement

The U.S. has resumed deportation flights for Venezuelan migrants following a new bilateral agreement. The first flight included 199 Venezuelans, with further flights anticipated. Tensions surrounding past deportations to El Salvador have fueled public outrage, and the Venezuelan government is pushing for more repatriations.

The United States has initiated deportation flights for Venezuelan migrants, following a newly established agreement between the two nations. The U.S. Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs confirmed that the first flight left the U.S., making a stop in Honduras to switch planes before proceeding to Venezuela. The Bureau emphasized that those deported lacked legal status to remain in the U.S., indicating an expected ongoing flow of these flights. Appreciation was expressed toward Honduran President Castro for her cooperation in addressing illegal immigration.

Honduran Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Reina reported that the flight carried 199 Venezuelan citizens, arriving in a systematic and secure manner. The aircraft, identified as Venezuelan-flagged, is anticipated to land near Caracas shortly. Previously, deportation efforts had stalled due to geopolitical tensions, particularly following the Trump administration’s revocation of Chevron’s operational license in Venezuela, which Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro noted had adversely affected repatriation processes.

Adding to the complexity, recent U.S. deportations of Venezuelans to El Salvador, where they faced incarceration in a high-security facility, generated significant unrest within Venezuela. Accusations arose against the deportees for affiliations with the Tren de Aragua criminal organization, though relatives disputed these claims. The Venezuelan National Assembly’s President, Jorge Rodríguez Gómez, communicated the plan’s restart and emphasized that migration should not be criminalized, advocating for the return of all citizens including those in El Salvador.

The U.S. lacks diplomatic relations with Venezuela, complicating the repatriation logistics. Analysis of flight data indicates that deportees were transferred from a Texas flight to one bound for Caracas. Meanwhile, the White House has remained silent on the matter, although President Maduro instructed his government to escalate the number of repatriation flights for detained Venezuelans.

In summary, the resumption of deportation flights for Venezuelan migrants marks a significant agreement between the U.S. and Venezuela amidst prior geopolitical tensions. The flights, facilitated through Honduras, aim to address illegal immigration and respond to public concerns following controversial deportations to El Salvador. Both Venezuelan authorities and the U.S. aim to manage migrant issues comprehensively, while the situation continues to evolve without official comments from the White House.

Original Source: www.cnn.com