Venezuela and the U.S. have reached a deal to resume deportation flights for Venezuelan nationals, following a suspension caused by sanctions against Chevron. Jorge Rodríguez announced an initial flight scheduled for Sunday, stressing the protection of human rights. Maduro criticized the treatment of deportees in El Salvador and claimed many are wrongly associated with criminal organizations, highlighting a contentious backdrop to the agreement.
Venezuela has reached an agreement with the United States to resume deportation flights for its nationals, according to a Venezuelan official’s social media announcement. The agreement comes after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro suspended these flights on March 8, following the U.S. Treasury Department’s revocation of Chevron’s ability to export Venezuelan oil. Jorge Rodríguez, President of Venezuela’s Assembly and chief negotiator, stated that an initial repatriation flight is scheduled for Sunday, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding human rights during the return process.
Rodríguez criticized the previous U.S. deportation practices initiated by former President Trump, which had resulted in the transport of Venezuelans to a high-security prison in El Salvador. “Migrating is not a crime and we will not rest until we achieve the return of all those who require it,” Rodríguez affirmed in his remarks. Later in the day, President Maduro corroborated the resumption of flights, stating the government’s intent to rescue migrants from U.S. detention facilities.
Maduro also denounced El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele for the treatment of deported Venezuelans, demanding accountability for their welfare. “You guarantee their health, and you have to hand them over and release them, because they are kidnapped,” Maduro insisted. Under the Trump administration, deportees were claimed to be linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, which was designated as a foreign terrorist organization; however, evidence supporting these allegations remains unsubstantiated.
Recent statistics reveal that over 238 Venezuelan men were deported to El Salvador in last weekend’s flights. U.S. officials have categorized some deportees as “enemy aliens” due to the controversial application of the Alien Enemies Act. Khan, a barber with no criminal record, was among the deported, raising questions about the justification of these deportations. Since Trump’s administration began, the frequency of deportations has increased, including individuals who spent time in U.S. naval facilities, yet the evidence for gang affiliations among many deportees remains minimal.
In conclusion, Venezuela’s agreement with the United States to resume deportation flights marks an important shift in repatriation policy. Amidst criticisms of past deportation practices under the Trump administration, particularly regarding the treatment of Venezuelans in El Salvador, both parties aim to address human rights concerns. Nonetheless, ongoing scrutiny of evidence linking deported individuals to criminal organizations continues, suggesting complexities in the handling of these cases. The situation underscores the broader issues surrounding migration and deportation policies in the region.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
