Venezuela will resume accepting deportation flights from the U.S. following a recent suspension of cooperation. U.S. envoy Richard Grenell announced the agreement, stating flights will begin on Friday to repatriate Venezuelan citizens who entered the U.S. illegally. The development marks a significant shift in relations between the two nations amidst ongoing political and economic crises in Venezuela.
Venezuela has announced it will once again accept deportation flights from the United States. This decision follows a brief suspension of cooperation that emerged after the U.S. revoked Chevron’s sanctions waiver. U.S. special envoy to President Trump, Richard Grenell, confirmed the resumption of flights, stating that Venezuela would repatriate its citizens who entered the U.S. unlawfully.
The flights are set to commence on Friday, according to Grenell. Jorge Rodriguez, the head of the Venezuelan National Assembly and a close ally of President Nicolás Maduro, also verified this agreement. He explained that this arrangement is part of Venezuela’s “Return to the Homeland Plan” to facilitate the repatriation of its citizens from the U.S.
Richard Grenell had previously discussed deportation strategies with Venezuelan officials shortly after Trump took office in January. Since initiating cooperation, 366 Venezuelan nationals have been repatriated via flights operated by the Venezuelan state airline Conviasa, despite its being under U.S. sanctions.
However, in late February, a breakdown occurred in relations when President Trump accused Venezuela of not fulfilling its commitments, leading to the annulment of the sanctions waiver for Chevron. In retaliation, Venezuela halted the acceptance of deportation flights, although it remains unclear what prompted the recent change of heart.
Over seven million Venezuelans have fled their country due to severe economic and political hardships under Maduro’s regime. Trump’s administration indicated plans to deport approximately 600,000 Venezuelans currently residing in the U.S., individuals who were previously protected from removal under President Biden’s policies. Although Grenell has met with Maduro, the Trump administration does not officially recognize him as Venezuela’s president, choosing to endorse Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia instead, who is seen as the legitimate electoral victor by both Trump and Biden.
The resumption of deportation flights signifies a crucial development in U.S.-Venezuela relations, particularly amidst ongoing political and economic challenges in Venezuela. The country’s agreement to facilitate the return of its citizens who entered the U.S. unlawfully indicates a possible thawing of relations after previous tensions surrounding sanctions. This initiative not only impacts the individuals involved but also highlights the broader geopolitical dynamics at play as varied administrations navigate complex foreign policy toward Venezuela.
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