Venezuela and the United States have reached an agreement to restart repatriation flights for Venezuelan migrants, President Nicolas Maduro announced in a televised speech on Saturday. The first flight is set to depart on Sunday, marking a step forward in efforts to bring back Venezuelans held in US detention centers.
Maduro emphasized that the agreement was the result of persistent diplomatic negotiations, describing it as a mission to “rescue and free” Venezuelan migrants from US prisons. The development follows a recent diplomatic clash between the two countries over deportation flights that sent Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, a move that sparked strong criticism from Caracas.
The White House has not yet commented on the deal, while El Salvador’s government has also remained silent on the accusations made by Maduro. The Venezuelan president directly called out El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, holding him responsible for the treatment of detained migrants. He insisted that those deported to El Salvador had committed no crimes and demanded their immediate release.
Earlier in the day, Venezuelan Parliament President Jorge Rodriguez confirmed the agreement, stating that the government would continue efforts to bring back Venezuelans who wished to return home. “Migrating isn’t a crime, and we won’t stop fighting until every Venezuelan who wants to return is safely back,” the statement read.
The situation has caused distress among families and lawyers of the deported migrants, who have struggled to contact their relatives and clients. Many are now urging authorities to ensure their safe return to Venezuela.
US officials claim that some of the deported migrants were members of the Tren de Aragua gang, a charge that Venezuela’s Interior Minister has firmly denied. Meanwhile, the Trump administration faces a March 25 deadline to respond to a judicial order regarding the legality of the deportations. US District Judge James Boasberg is currently reviewing whether officials violated his ruling that temporarily blocked the expulsions.
As tensions remain high, the agreement to restart repatriation flights signals a potential shift in diplomatic relations between Venezuela and the United States. However, uncertainties remain regarding the fate of those deported to El Salvador and whether the Biden administration will respond to Venezuela’s demands for their return.