Venezuela has reached an agreement with the U.S. to resume deportation flights of Venezuelan nationals after suspending them in March. Venezuelan officials emphasized the protection of human rights in the repatriation process. This follows concerns regarding the treatment of deported individuals, particularly those labeled as associated with criminal organizations. Recent flights have seen a continuing trend of increasing deportations, raising questions about governmental responsibility and human rights.
Venezuela has made a significant diplomatic move by agreeing to accept repatriation flights from the United States, a development confirmed by a Venezuelan official via social media. This decision marks a reversal from March 8, when Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro halted deportation flights following the U.S. Treasury Department’s withdrawal of Chevron’s license to export Venezuelan oil.
Jorge Rodríguez, President of Venezuela’s Assembly and chief negotiator with the U.S., stated, “We have agreed with the U.S. government to resume the repatriation of Venezuelan migrants with an initial flight tomorrow, Sunday.” He emphasized that this agreement aims to ensure the return of Venezuelan nationals with the protection of their human rights.
Rodríguez criticized the previous deportation practices, particularly under President Trump’s administration, noting that many Venezuelans were sent to a high-security prison in El Salvador. He declared that “migrating is not a crime” and asserted the Venezuelan government’s commitment to facilitating the return of all nationals needing assistance, especially those detained in El Salvador.
President Maduro endorsed the restoration of repatriation flights during a subsequent public event, stating, “We are resuming flights to rescue and release migrants from U.S. prisons.” Furthermore, he held El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele accountable for the well-being of deported Venezuelans and demanded their safe return.
In March, Trump described the deportees as members of the Tren de Aragua gang, labeling them an invading force. This designation was part of a broader effort utilizing a rarely invoked authority, the Alien Enemies Act. Following a judge’s order to stop the deportations, flights had already commenced.
The U.S. Department of State has identified Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, which emerged in Venezuelan prisons and contributed to the migration of millions of Venezuelans in search of improved living conditions. Despite allegations from the Trump administration, there is a lack of evidence linking the deportees with any crimes in the United States.
Recent reports indicate that last weekend, a total of 238 Venezuelan men were deported to El Salvador, with 137 classified as “enemy aliens.” A notable case among the deportees involved a 26-year-old barber who has no criminal record either in the U.S. or Venezuela.
Historically, Maduro’s government has resisted the return of immigrants deported from the U.S., especially as deportations surged since Trump’s presidency began. In recent weeks alone, approximately 350 individuals were sent back to Venezuela, which included some who were detained for weeks at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. However, the Trump administration has provided scant evidence to substantiate claims linking these individuals to the Tren de Aragua gang.
In conclusion, Venezuela’s recent agreement to accept deportation flights from the United States marks a crucial development in diplomatic relations. This initiative, aimed at safeguarding the rights of repatriated nationals, addresses the past actions of the Trump administration regarding Venezuelan deportees. The government’s commitment to resuming these flights reflects ongoing negotiations and efforts to resolve humanitarian concerns associated with deportations.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
