A flight with 199 Venezuelans deported from the United States landed in the early hours of this Monday, March 24, at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, thus reactivating repatriation flights that had been suspended a month ago amidst renewed tensions between Caracas and Washington due to the migration crisis.
The aircraft, belonging to the state-owned Conviasa, landed at 01:01 in the morning, reported the Minister of Interior and Justice, Diosdado Cabello, who assured that “Venezuela is ready to welcome compatriots wherever they may be,” according to the agency AFP.
This was the fourth flight since the partial resumption of the deportation agreement, reached following the visit to Caracas by Donald Trump's envoy, Richard Grenell, on January 31. The first two flights departed from El Paso, Texas; then another followed with 177 migrants held at the Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba.
The operation in question was carried out through Honduras, due to the impossibility of Venezuelan aircraft reaching U.S. territory directly.
The arrival of this group comes just a week after 238 Venezuelans were transferred to the Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot), a maximum-security prison in El Salvador.
Nicolás Maduro described the event as a "kidnapping," while the U.S. asserts that the deportees are part of the criminal gang Tren de Aragua.
Regarding the topic, Trump justified the measure by claiming that Maduro's government has "deliberately and deceptively" sent tens of thousands of criminals to the United States, including members of the Tren de Aragua, a group designated as a "Foreign Terrorist Organization."
The friction between both governments is complex. Despite these flights, Trump announced this Monday that he will impose a 25 percent tariff on countries that purchase oil or gas from Venezuela.
The president specified that any nation that purchases oil or gas from Venezuela will have to pay that tax on any trade it conducts with the United States.
It is worth noting that the United States does not recognize Maduro's third term following the controversial elections on July 28, 2024. The opposition claims that the true winner was Edmundo González Urrutia, who has been in exile since September.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Venezuelans from the U.S. to Venezuela
Why is the United States deporting Venezuelans?
The United States is deporting Venezuelans as part of an agreement with the government of Nicolás Maduro, which involves the repatriation of illegal migrants, including suspected members of the criminal gang Tren de Aragua. This measure responds to the immigration policy of President Donald Trump and the accusation that the Venezuelan government has deliberately sent criminals to the country.
What actions has the Maduro government taken in response to the deportations?
The government of Nicolás Maduro has reactivated the Plan Vuelta a la Patria, welcoming deportees back to Venezuela and assuring that not all of them have criminal records. Additionally, it has denied any connections between the deportees and the Tren de Aragua and has hired law firms to represent Venezuelans in the United States and El Salvador.
What is the Tren de Aragua and what is its implication in this context?
The Aragua Train is a criminal organization considered by the United States as a "Foreign Terrorist Organization". It is accused of destabilizing public safety in the U.S. with the support of the Maduro government. Many of those deported are accused of belonging to this gang, which has been a central point in the tensions between the two countries.
What impact does the 25% tariff announced by Trump have on Venezuelan oil?
The 25% tariff affects countries that purchase oil or gas from Venezuela, as they will have to pay this levy on any trade they conduct with the United States. This measure aims to exert economic pressure on Maduro's government and discourage the trade of Venezuelan crude in the international market.
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