As tensions between Venezuela and the US reach a boiling point, the Venezuelan government has announced plans to resume repatriation flights with the United States, amidst concerns over human rights and deportation practices.
The Venezuelan government has agreed to resume repatriation flights with the United States, a move that comes after a dispute over the deportation of more than 200 Venezuelans to a high-security prison in El Salvador. The decision was announced by Venezuela’s National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez on Saturday.
The US-Venezuela repatriation flights were a series of airlifts organized by the US government to transport American citizens stranded in Venezuela back to the United States.
The flights, which began in 2020, were facilitated by the US Department of State and operated by various airlines.
According to official reports, over 1,000 US citizens were repatriated through these efforts.
The initiative aimed to assist Americans affected by the Venezuelan economic crisis and travel restrictions.
The US had accused Venezuela of failing to meet its commitments, leading to the suspension of repatriation flights. However, Venezuela condemned the deportation as ‘kidnapping‘ and refused to accept further flights. The situation escalated when the US government moved against US energy giant Chevron, suspending its license to export Venezuelan oil.
The bilateral relationship between Venezuela and the US has been strained due to various reasons.
The US imposed economic sanctions on Venezuela in 2017, citing 'human rights abuses' and erosion of democracy under President Nicolás Maduro's rule.
In response, Venezuela accused the US of interfering in its internal affairs.
The tensions escalated further with the US recognition of Juan Guaidó as interim president in 2019, which led to a diplomatic crisis between the two nations.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had suspended the flights on March 8 after US President Donald Trump accused Venezuela of failing to meet its commitments. In a televised speech, Maduro told Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, that he was responsible for the deportees and demanded their release.
Nicolas Maduro is a Venezuelan politician who has served as President of Venezuela since 2013.
Born on November 23, 1962, in Caracas, Venezuela, Maduro rose to prominence as the Minister of Foreign Affairs under Hugo Chavez's administration.
After Chavez's death in 2013, Maduro won the presidential election and took office.
His presidency has been marked by controversy, including allegations of human rights abuses and economic mismanagement.
Families of the deportees protested in Venezuela, accusing the US of tricking the migrants into believing they were returning home after days or weeks in detention. Relatives said the migrants had been deceived, with one grandmother stating ‘They were deceived.‘
US administration officials defended the use of extraordinary war powers to force through the deportations. US Attorney General Pam Bondi said that the deported Venezuelans posed a safety risk and that the Trump administration’s decision was justified.
More than seven million Venezuelans have left their home country following an economic collapse in the past decade, including opponents of the Maduro government. The dispute over repatriation flights is part of a larger row between Caracas and Washington over human rights and immigration issues.
