Venezuela Welcomes Deportees from U.S. as Flights Resume Amid Tensions

Venezuela received 199 migrants deported from the U.S. after flights resumed due to a renewed agreement. Diplomatic tensions rose with accusations from both countries regarding the deportation process. While some migrants were sent to El Salvador under controversial circumstances, Venezuelan authorities contest claims of gang affiliations.

On Monday, Venezuela welcomed a group of 199 migrants who were deported from the United States, following an agreement to restart deportation flights between the two nations, as confirmed by Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello. Tensions escalated last week due to accusations exchanged between the countries, with the United States alleging that Venezuela was obstructing deportation flights, while Venezuela accused the U.S. of blocking them.

In the meantime, a plane carrying deported Venezuelans arrived from Mexico, which has agreed to accept migrants sent by the United States. Minister Cabello noted that the inconsistency of flights was not due to actions from Venezuela and that the frequency of these flights will rely on coordination with the United States.

The deportees were initially sent to Honduras before being transferred to Venezuelan state airline Conviasa, which then flew them to Caracas at 1 a.m. local time, as the U.S. refrains from directly deporting migrants to Venezuela due to their fraught diplomatic ties. The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs expressed optimism for a consistent future flow of deportation flights to Venezuela.

This diplomatic exchange also coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s activation of a wartime law to expedite the deportation of individuals purportedly associated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, designated by the U.S. as a terrorist entity. Although a judge swiftly halted this measure, over 200 Venezuelans were deported, with 137 sent to El Salvador and detained in an anti-terrorism facility.

The Venezuelan government refuted the allegations regarding the migrants’ links to criminal activities, asserting that the gang in question has been dismantled. Families and legal representatives of the deported individuals also disputed claims of gang affiliations, outlining that some might have been wrongfully targeted due to tattoos misconstrued as gang insignias. Minister Cabello condemned the situation in El Salvador, stating that the detained Venezuelans were being held “hostage” and called for recognition of their rights.

The recent arrival of deported Venezuelan migrants reflects the renewed cooperation between Venezuela and the United States regarding deportation flights. The ongoing diplomatic tensions and accusations underscore the complexities of U.S.-Venezuela relations, particularly concerning migrant deportations. The situation highlights the divergent narratives surrounding the deportees’ alleged criminal ties and raises significant humanitarian concerns under the current circumstances.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com