There was a significant breakthrough when Venezuela said it would resume repatriation flights for United States migrants after seven days of tensions following the deportation of over 200 Venezuelans who had been accused of being involved with gangs. The news was confirmed by Jorge Rodriguez, Venezuela’s President of Parliament, that the flights were going to begin on Sunday, March 23.
The deportations were suspended last month after U.S. President Donald Trump accused Venezuela of failing to meet its commitment on the repatriation of migrants. Caracas retaliated by suspending further deportation flights. But Washington subsequently deported 238 Venezuelans, who are described as being connected to the Tren de Aragua gang, which the Trump administration has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. The move was strongly condemned by Venezuelan authorities.
Rodriguez highlighted protecting the human rights of citizens upon return and declared, “In order to ensure the repatriation of our compatriots with protection of their human rights, we agreed with the United States government to resume repatriation flights for Venezuelan migrants and tomorrow a first flight.”
He also asserted, “Migrating is not a crime, and we will not rest until all those who want to come back are at home, and until we bring back our brothers kidnapped in El Salvador.” Rodriguez is also president of Venezuela’s National Assembly.
The plane will be the fifth deportation of migrants to Venezuela since Trump entered office in January. Since February last year, approximately 900 Venezuelans were deported, many from the US and some from Mexico.
