President Donald Trump announced on social media that Venezuela has agreed to receive Venezuelan nationals who are deported from the United States. This decision marks a significant shift in policy, as Venezuela had previously refused to accept repatriated flights under former President Joe Biden.
Trump stated that Venezuela will take back all Venezuelan illegal aliens, including gang members of Tren de Aragua, and provide transportation for their return. The move aligns with Trump's campaign promise of mass deportations, despite the challenges posed by strained relations between the two countries.
The recent development follows a meeting between Trump's envoy for special missions, Richard Grenell, and Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. Notably, the meeting took place even though the US does not officially recognize Maduro's presidency, citing concerns over election integrity.
Opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, whom the US recognizes as Venezuela's president-elect, has cautioned against striking a deal with Maduro on deportation flights. Urrutia, who attended Trump's inauguration, has raised objections to potential agreements that could benefit Maduro's regime.
The willingness of Venezuela to accept deported nationals from the US represents a significant development in the ongoing diplomatic relations between the two countries. The decision could have implications for future deportations and cooperation on immigration issues.
