The Venezuelan ruler, Nicolás Maduro, conditioned the reception of Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States on the lifting of international sanctions imposed on his regime.
During his weekly program Con Maduro+, the Chavista leader asserted that the return of fellow citizens is occurring within the framework of a supposed "new understanding" with Washington, following the visit to Caracas by Richard Grenell, the special envoy of former President Donald Trump.
“I have told many leaders around the world. I have told special envoys from various governments. I told Ambassador Richard Grenell, the special envoy for Venezuela from President Donald Trump: “Lift all sanctions and we in Venezuela guarantee absolutely that not a single migrant will leave our country again, and that all those who are outside will return to work, to build, and to make Venezuela prosperous!” Have that absolute certainty,” he stated.
He also reiterated that the Venezuelan migration crisis is a direct consequence of economic sanctions and stated that if these measures were lifted, Venezuelans abroad would return to contribute to the country's development.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Communication of the Venezuelan regime reported that some of the individuals deported from the United States may be linked to criminal activities, including alleged members of the criminal gang Tren de Aragua.
The dialogue between Caracas and Washington is taking place in a context of increasing pressure on the Chavista regime, which perpetrated a coup d'état by disregarding the will of the people in the last elections and usurping the presidency from the legitimate winner of the contest, the elected president Edmundo González Urrutia.
Although the Trump administration does not recognize Maduro's legitimacy, Grenell's dispatch at the end of January marked an attempt at negotiation. After the meeting with Maduro and the President of Parliament, Jorge Rodríguez, it was agreed to release six U.S. citizens detained in Venezuela and accept deported migrants.
The Venezuelan regime insists that international sanctions have suffocated its economy and caused the mass migration of citizens seeking better opportunities. However, the international community continues to demand guarantees for a democratic transition of power and respect for human rights as a prerequisite for any easing of restrictions.
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