In a potential easing of tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, nearly 200 Venezuelan migrants were returned to their home country on Monday. Two Conviasa airline flights departed from Fort Bliss, Texas, carrying individuals who were in the U.S. without authorization, landing in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital. This action represents a significant step forward for the Trump administration's efforts to facilitate the return of unauthorized immigrants to their countries of origin.
Richard Grennell, the U.S. envoy who oversaw the deportations, confirmed the flights on X (formerly Twitter), noting that Venezuela covered the costs. This resumption of deportation flights marks a notable shift, as such actions had been largely suspended for an extended period, with only a brief resumption in October 2023 under the Biden administration.
The influx of Venezuelan migrants at the U.S. southern border, which began in 2021, has presented a significant challenge, particularly given Venezuela's previous reluctance to accept their return. This recent cooperation follows a visit to Caracas by Grennell a few weeks prior. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro expressed optimism about the development, framing it as a positive step towards international cooperation and understanding.
The Venezuelan government acknowledged the flights, issuing a statement denouncing what they called a misleading narrative surrounding the presence of Tren de Aragua gang members in the U.S. They emphasized the contributions of hard-working Venezuelan migrants and criticized attempts to stigmatize their citizens.
This repatriation effort coincides with the recent transfer of some undocumented individuals to the Guantánamo Bay detention facility, where they are held separately from existing detainees. A legal challenge arose when a federal judge in New Mexico temporarily prevented the transfer of three Venezuelan men to Guantánamo Bay, with their lawyers arguing they were unfairly targeted due to alleged connections to the Tren de Aragua gang.
Furthermore, Secretary of State Marco Rubio secured agreements with El Salvador and Guatemala to accept their respective citizens and U.S. deportees of other nationalities. Following Grennell's visit, President Trump announced that Venezuela agreed to accept all Venezuelan migrants previously residing in the U.S., including alleged gang members, and to finance their return flights. Concurrently, several American detainees were released from Venezuela.
