Venezuela to Resume Deportation Flights for Repatriated Nationals After Agreement with US
Venezuela will resume the repatriation of its nationals deported by the US following an agreement with the Trump administration. President Maduro announced the resumption of flights amid diplomatic tensions, which had led to previous suspensions. Significant deportations have occurred, including members of criminal gangs, while legal challenges surrounding these actions added complexity to the situation.
Venezuela has announced it will resume flights for the repatriation of its nationals deported by the United States following an agreement with the Trump administration. The country, lacking diplomatic ties with the US, had suspended these flights earlier in March after an initial agreement was reached in February. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro stated, “Tomorrow, thanks to the government’s perseverance, we’ll resume flights to continue rescuing and freeing migrants from prisons in the United States.”
The deal was brokered by Richard Grenell, Trump’s special envoy, who facilitated the understanding that Venezuela would accept its citizens, including those implicated with criminal gangs. Trump confirmed on social media that Venezuela would facilitate transportation back for illegally residing Venezuelans in the US, but the collaboration suffered setbacks after a dispute over Chevron’s oil export sanctions.
In mid-March, the Trump administration deported 238 Venezuelans alleged to be members of the Tren de Aragua gang. However, the names and specific allegations against these individuals have not been disclosed. Venezuela’s national assembly president, Jorge Rodríguez, emphasized the need to safeguard the human rights of these repatriated nationals. He stressed, “Migrating isn’t a crime, and we won’t rest until everyone who wants to return is back and we rescue our kidnapped brothers in El Salvador.”
Despite a federal judge in Washington attempting to halt the deportation flights, the actions proceeded, leading to claims that the White House defied the judicial order. The judge, James Boesberg, has since requested further information regarding the legal proceedings surrounding the deportations, demonstrating the ongoing complexities of US-Venezuela relations.
The resumption of deportation flights marks a significant event in US-Venezuela relations, reflecting ongoing diplomatic negotiations despite previous tensions. Venezuela’s commitment to repatriate its nationals, while addressing human rights concerns, underscores the complexity of migration issues at a geopolitical level. The Trump administration’s actions and legal challenges further complicate the scenario, emphasizing the intricate web of domestic and international law involved in such deportations.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
