Venezuelan Planes Repatriate Nearly 200 Migrants from the U.S.

On Monday, two planes operated by Venezuela’s Conviasa airline landed back in Caracas, marking the repatriation of nearly 200 Venezuelan nationals who had been living in the United States without legal status. This development is part of President Donald Trump’s comprehensive strategy on immigration, aimed at reinforcing the deportation of individuals who have entered the country unlawfully.

Positive Signs Amidst Tense Relations

The return of 190 migrants to Venezuela could signify a thawing in relations between the two nations, historically characterized by mutual distrust and political conflict. Furthermore, this operation reflects a noteworthy achievement for the Trump administration as it seeks to influence foreign governments into accepting their own expelled citizens.

Departure from Fort Bliss

The repatriation flights originated from Fort Bliss, a U.S. Army base located in El Paso, Texas. Richard Grennell, a presidential envoy overseeing the deportations, confirmed the flights on social media platform X, stating, “Two planes of illegal immigrants left El Paso today headed to Venezuela—paid for by the Venezuelans.”

Resumption of Deportation Operations

Deportation flights between the U.S. and Venezuela have been largely non-existent for several years, with a brief restart occurring in October 2023 under the Biden administration. The surge of Venezuelan migrants crossing into the U.S. since 2021 exacerbated challenges surrounding immigration enforcement, notably Venezuela’s previous reluctance to accept deported individuals.

The Role of Diplomacy

Venezuela’s recent decision to accept its nationals appears to be a result of a diplomatic visit from Grennell, who engaged with officials in Caracas. President Nicolás Maduro highlighted this development as a constructive step towards improving international relations, expressing hope for a “world of peace, understanding, dialogue, and cooperation.”

Venezuelan Government’s Official Stance

The Venezuelan government confirmed the return flights while addressing concerns over potential links to the Tren de Aragua gang, a criminal organization. In their statements, officials sought to counter American portrayals of Venezuelan migrants, emphasizing that the majority are “decent and hard-working people.”

Controversial Detentions and Legal Challenges

This repatriation comes on the heels of a significant event where several individuals detained in the U.S. were transferred to Guantánamo Bay detention center in Cuba. Reports indicated that these detainees were kept separate from the remaining 15 individuals already held there, including several tied to the September 11, 2001, attacks. Additionally, on Sunday, a federal judge in New Mexico issued a temporary block on transferring three Venezuelan men to Guantánamo, arguing that the Trump administration had wrongly connected them to the aforementioned gang.

Broader International Framework on Deportations

The recent repatriation efforts align with agreements established by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, permitting El Salvador and Guatemala to accept their own nationals and U.S. deportees from other nations. Following Grennell’s visit, President Trump announced that Venezuela had committed to repatriating “all Venezuelan illegal aliens who were encamped in the U.S., including members of the Tren de Aragua,” emphasizing that the Venezuelan government will fully cover the costs of their return.

A Concurrent Release of Detainees

As a part of these diplomatic negotiations, reports indicated that approximately six American detainees held in Venezuela were released. This move further illustrates the intertwining of immigration policy and international relations, as both nations navigate the complexities of repatriation and citizen treatment abroad.

*The Associated Press contributed to this report.*