Two flights carrying Venezuelan migrants from the United States to Venezuela are scheduled to arrive late Monday in Caracas, according to the country's communications ministry.
The flights represent a significant achievement for the Trump administration, which has pledged to deport millions of undocumented migrants. For this initiative to succeed, President Trump requires cooperation from Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s autocratic leader, who has faced increasing isolation from global leaders.
Two planes operated by the Venezuelan airline Conviasa departed from Fort Bliss in Texas, where migrants waiting for deportation are housed, at approximately 10:45 a.m. They are expected to arrive in Caracas around 7:15 p.m., as reported by FlightAware, a flight tracking service.
The White House confirmed the flights in a post on X, stating, “Repatriation flights to Venezuela have resumed. MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN.”
Following a diplomatic breakdown between the U.S. and Venezuela in 2019, Maduro’s government had declined to accept deported citizens, a policy that was briefly revised during the Biden administration.
This announcement comes after a recent visit by Trump advisor Richard Grenell to Venezuela, during which he returned to the U.S. with six Americans previously detained by the Maduro administration.
In allowing these flights, the U.S. is repatriating migrants to a country governed by an autocrat who has a history of imprisoning political opponents and those deemed unpatriotic.
In a media statement, Maduro’s government indicated that U.S. authorities had notified them that some deportees were associated with a criminal group known as Tren de Aragua, although evidence for this assertion has not been provided by either government.
Maduro’s administration assured the public that any returning Venezuelans accused of gang affiliations would face “a rigorous investigation” upon their arrival and would be subject to the legal measures available within the Venezuelan judicial system.
Critics have noted that the Venezuelan justice system has long been utilized as a mechanism for political repression under both Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chávez. Laura Dib, a Venezuela analyst, noted the extensive documentation of this politicization by various international human rights bodies, stating, “I don’t expect them to have any guarantee of due process upon return.”
In recent years, Venezuela has experienced a severe economic crisis, prompting many to leave for economic opportunities while others, including former military members and political activists, have fled due to fears of persecution.
Recently, Maduro’s administration has intensified efforts to detain not only vocal political activists but also ordinary citizens passing nearby protests. During his first term, President Trump adopted a hard stance against Maduro, imposing sanctions and supporting opposition leader Juan Guaidó in efforts to unseat him. In 2020, U.S. prosecutors accused Maduro of being involved in a narcotrafficking scheme, and a reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.
However, the early months of Trump's second term have seen a shift toward a more conciliatory approach to Maduro. Grenell's visit to Caracas marked a significant moment for Maduro, who faces accusations of electoral fraud, as it was the first public meeting between a U.S. official and the Venezuelan leader in years, granting a semblance of legitimacy to an isolated regime.
In its media statement, the Venezuelan government claimed to have reached an agreement with the Trump administration for Venezuelan aircraft to facilitate the repatriation of its citizens, emphasizing the need to conduct the transfer “with absolute respect for their dignity and human rights.”
Moreover, the government called for a “new beginning of relations” with the U.S., proposing collaboration to combat organized crime and smuggling networks that exploit Venezuelans seeking to migrate to the U.S.