US Resumes Deportation Flights to Venezuela Amid Ongoing Diplomatic Concerns
The US has resumed deportation flights to Venezuela, with the first flight carrying 199 Venezuelan migrants. This move follows an agreement between the US and Venezuela, aimed at regularizing repatriation efforts after prior sanctions affected operations. Venezuelan officials stress the need to address the issues surrounding deportees, while the White House remains silent on these developments.
The United States has commenced its first deportation flight to Venezuela, following a recent agreement between the two governments to reinstate repatriation services. The US Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs confirmed that the flight departed from the US, making a stop in Honduras for a plane change before proceeding to Venezuela. The department noted, “Today, deportation flights of Venezuelan illegal aliens to their homeland resumed via Honduras.”
According to Honduras’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Enrique Reina, the flight carried 199 Venezuelan citizens and was executed in an orderly and safe manner. He provided updates through social media, indicating that the Venezuelan-flagged vessel was en route to its destination in Venezuela, expected to land near Caracas shortly.
Repatriation efforts had encountered delays due to the Trump administration’s prior decision to revoke Chevron’s operational license in Venezuela. President Nicolás Maduro had previously stated that this decision negatively impacted repatriation flights, with the Trump administration warning of additional sanctions.
Growing discontent in Venezuela followed the US deportation of 238 Venezuelans to El Salvador, where they were allegedly linked to criminal activities. However, relatives claimed that the deportees had no criminal ties. On a related note, Venezuela’s National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez Gómez declared the resumption of flights, asserting, “Migration is not a crime.” He emphasized the need to repatriate detained Venezuelans and restore those allegedly held in El Salvador.
Despite these developments, the White House has not issued a statement regarding the flight. Notably, Venezuela currently lacks diplomatic ties with the US. Reports indicate that deportees were transferred from a US-based charter flight that landed in Honduras to a plane bound for Caracas, illustrating the complex logistics involved in this repatriation.
In light of recent events, President Maduro has instructed his government to increase the number of flights for repatriating Venezuelan migrants who have faced detention in the United States.
In summary, the United States has resumed deportation flights to Venezuela, marking a significant milestone in US-Venezuelan relations. The flight, which carries 199 Venezuelans, has been executed smoothly, although past deportations have raised concerns among Venezuelan authorities. The ongoing dialogue between both governments reflects the complexities of immigration and diplomatic relations, underscoring a commitment to repatriation even amidst geopolitical tensions.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
