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Venezuela Resumes Repatriation of Migrants Following US Agreement

Venezuela is set to resume flights for repatriating its nationals deported by the US, following an agreement with the Trump administration. President Maduro previously suspended flights due to disputes, but announced the resumption. Legal and human rights concerns persist as deportations continue, raising tensions between the two countries.

Venezuela has announced the resumption of repatriation flights for its nationals deported by the United States, following an agreement with the Trump administration. Initially, Venezuela had consented to accept deportees in February, but President Nicolás Maduro suspended the flights in March amid disagreements with the US. In a recent televised address, Maduro expressed, “Tomorrow, thanks to the government’s perseverance, we’ll resume flights to continue rescuing and freeing migrants from prisons in the United States.”

Negotiations were facilitated by Trump’s special envoy, Richard Grenell, leading to a deal where Venezuela would take back its citizens deported from the US, including alleged gang members of Tren de Aragua. “Venezuela has agreed to receive… all Venezuelan illegal aliens who were encamped in the US,” Trump stated. However, Maduro abruptly discontinued the flights following the suspension of Chevron’s export permissions by the US Treasury Department on March 8.

Subsequently, the Trump administration deported 238 Venezuelans to El Salvador, linking them to criminal activity. Lack of detailed public information regarding these deportees has raised questions. Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela’s national assembly, commented on the detainees in El Salvador, assuring that Venezuela secured a deal for their return, advocating that “Migrating isn’t a crime, and we won’t rest until everyone who wants to return is back.”

The Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for deportation has led to legal challenges. A federal judge in Washington, DC attempted to halt these flights, yet they proceeded to El Salvador. President Nayib Bukele remarked on social media that intervention came “too late,” amplifying tensions regarding the White House’s compliance with judicial orders. The judge, James Boesberg, has demanded further clarification from government representatives.

In conclusion, Venezuela’s decision to resume deportation flights is a significant development following a controversial agreement with the Trump administration. While the actions taken have ignited legal disputes and discussions about human rights, the emphasis on repatriating Venezuelan nationals reflects ongoing challenges within migratory policies and international relations. This situation underscores the complexities surrounding immigration enforcement and human rights considerations in both nations.

Original Source: www.bbc.com

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