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The government of Venezuela announced an agreement with the United States to resume repatriation flights for Venezuelan migrants starting this Sunday, as part of the so-called Return to the Homeland Plan.
The announcement was initially made by Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly and representative of the ruling party in negotiations with Washington, through a statement released on Saturday on social media.
“We have agreed to resume the repatriation of Venezuelan migrants with an initial flight tomorrow, Sunday,” he indicated, without providing further details, published on X by the network Telesur.
In a statement during a public event, the measure was later confirmed by President Nicolás Maduro, who stated at the public event: “We are resuming flights to rescue and free migrants from the prisons of the United States,” Telemundo reported.
The resumption of these flights occurs in the midst of tensions following the Venezuelan government's allegations of an alleged blockade on deportations by the U.S. Department of State.
Moreover, this occurs days after more than 200 Venezuelan migrants were sent by U.S. authorities to a prison in El Salvador, amid accusations of alleged links to the criminal organization Tren de Aragua, as reported by the agency AP.
Rodríguez asserted that migrating “is not a crime” and that the Caribbean country is committed to the return of all Venezuelans who wish to come back, especially those who, according to Caracas, are “being held hostage in El Salvador.”
It also reported that the government has hired specialized law firms in the United States and El Salvador to legally represent its citizens.
The Venezuelan government claims that since February, a total of 919 migrants have returned to the country on five flights from Mexico and the U.S. base in Guantánamo. Only 18 of them would have pending charges with the Venezuelan justice system, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior.
Minister Diosdado Cabello denied that any of the repatriated individuals are linked to the Tren de Aragua, an organization that originated in Venezuelan prisons and has been declared a terrorist group by the White House, reported El Diario.
Frequently Asked Questions about the resumption of repatriation flights for migrants between Venezuela and the United States
What is the Return to the Homeland Plan?
The Return to the Homeland Plan is an initiative of the Venezuelan government aimed at facilitating the return of its citizens who are abroad. In the current context, this plan has been activated to coordinate repatriation flights from the United States, amid a recent agreement between both countries.
Why have repatriation flights between Venezuela and the United States resumed?
The resumption of repatriation flights is due to an agreement between the governments of Venezuela and the United States, as part of the Plan Vuelta a la Patria. This agreement aims to repatriate Venezuelan migrants from the United States, particularly those facing detentions or deportations, in a context of diplomatic tensions and mutual accusations regarding the management of migrants.
What is the United States' position on the repatriation of Venezuelans?
The United States has decided to resume deportation flights to Venezuela as part of its immigration control policy under the Donald Trump administration. The U.S. government has demanded that Venezuela accept its repatriated citizens and has warned of imposing sanctions if the Maduro regime refuses to accept them.
What role does the Tren de Aragua play in the context of deportations?
The Aragua Train is a Venezuelan criminal organization that has been designated by the United States as a global threat. In the context of deportations, members of this organization have been sent to El Salvador for incarceration, reflecting the collaboration between the United States and allied countries in the fight against organized crime.
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