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Venezuela to Resume Accepting U.S. Repatriation Flights

Venezuela will begin accepting repatriation flights from the U.S. for deported citizens, as announced by Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly. This decision follows prior deportations to El Salvador, which raised concerns over the treatment of deportees. Both the Venezuelan and U.S. governments are engaged in discussions regarding immigration matters amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Venezuela has declared its intention to resume the acceptance of repatriation flights from the United States for its citizens deported by U.S. immigration authorities. Jorge Rodríguez, the president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, announced via social media that the repatriation flights would recommence as early as Sunday, emphasizing, “Migration is not a crime.” Rodríguez has actively engaged with U.S. officials regarding immigration concerns and asserted that Venezuelan authorities will persist in their efforts to facilitate the return of citizens in need.

During his statement, Rodríguez referenced the deportation of Venezuelans to El Salvador in March, where President Trump enacted the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to address alleged members of a violent gang. Alluding to this, he pointed out that 238 Venezuelans were deported, with 137 under the Alien Enemies Act and 101 through standard immigration processes. This operation has come under scrutiny from a federal judge aiming to understand the justification for its execution.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has called for the return of those migrants sent to El Salvador, where they were reportedly relocated to a facility known as the mega-prison CECOT, as stated by El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. Families of the deportees have contested the government’s assertions regarding gang affiliations, claiming the men were unjustly labeled, while Maduro has described these actions as kidnappings.

Venezuela previously ceased accepting repatriation flights on March 8 in response to President Trump’s declaration to revoke the Biden-era permit allowing Chevron to operate within the nation, an essential source of revenue for Venezuela. However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently warned of impending, escalating sanctions should Venezuela fail to accept migrants again.

In conclusion, Venezuela’s announcement to resume repatriation flights marks a significant development in its immigration policy. This decision follows a period of halted flights due to geopolitical tensions surrounding U.S. sanctions. Both Venezuelan officials and the U.S. government remain intricately involved in negotiations and implications surrounding the deportation of Venezuelans, raising questions about the treatment of those involved. Ultimately, the situation reveals the complexities of immigration and international relations.

Original Source: news.prairiepublic.org

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