199 Migrants Expelled from the U.S. Arrive in Venezuela Amidst Migratory Policy Dispute
The return flight marks the resumption of deportation operations between the U.S. and Venezuela following a disagreement over migratory policies and sanctions.
On March 24, 2025, an airplane carrying 199 migrants expelled from the United States arrived early in the morning at Maiquetia International Airport in Caracas, Venezuela.
This event marks the resumption of deportation flights that had been suspended for a month due to escalating tensions between the two governments over migration policies.
The Venezuelan government had announced the reactivation of these deportation flights just days prior, on March 21, stating that operations had been put on hold due to mutual accusations of non-compliance with deportation agreements established in January.
Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela’s Minister of the Interior, confirmed the arrivals at the airport, stating, "Today, we receive 199 compatriots."
This flight represents the fourth of its kind since the implementation of the deportation agreement.
The first two flights transporting Venezuelans were conducted from El Paso, Texas, on February 10, followed by another flight from Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, which returned 177 migrants through Honduras.
The interruption of these flights came after the Trump administration expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of deportations, culminating in the revocation of Chevron’s operational license in Venezuela, which had been extended by former President Joe Biden.
In a response to the resumption of flights, Cabello stated, "If the flights have been irregular, it is not due to Venezuela.
We are ready to welcome Venezuelans wherever they may be."
This resumption of deportation flights follows a series of diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, which severed diplomatic relations in 2019 during Trump's first term.
This schism arose following the U.S. government's refusal to recognize the legitimacy of Nicolás Maduro's 2018 reelection, a stance that has continued after the 2024 elections.
Additionally, just a week prior, 238 Venezuelans were expelled to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, an action that Maduro characterized as an abduction.
Since 2019, relations have been marked by an oil embargo imposed by the U.S. in retaliation against Maduro's regime, further complicating any diplomatic efforts or negotiations surrounding migratory and humanitarian issues.
This event marks the resumption of deportation flights that had been suspended for a month due to escalating tensions between the two governments over migration policies.
The Venezuelan government had announced the reactivation of these deportation flights just days prior, on March 21, stating that operations had been put on hold due to mutual accusations of non-compliance with deportation agreements established in January.
Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela’s Minister of the Interior, confirmed the arrivals at the airport, stating, "Today, we receive 199 compatriots."
This flight represents the fourth of its kind since the implementation of the deportation agreement.
The first two flights transporting Venezuelans were conducted from El Paso, Texas, on February 10, followed by another flight from Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, which returned 177 migrants through Honduras.
The interruption of these flights came after the Trump administration expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of deportations, culminating in the revocation of Chevron’s operational license in Venezuela, which had been extended by former President Joe Biden.
In a response to the resumption of flights, Cabello stated, "If the flights have been irregular, it is not due to Venezuela.
We are ready to welcome Venezuelans wherever they may be."
This resumption of deportation flights follows a series of diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, which severed diplomatic relations in 2019 during Trump's first term.
This schism arose following the U.S. government's refusal to recognize the legitimacy of Nicolás Maduro's 2018 reelection, a stance that has continued after the 2024 elections.
Additionally, just a week prior, 238 Venezuelans were expelled to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, an action that Maduro characterized as an abduction.
Since 2019, relations have been marked by an oil embargo imposed by the U.S. in retaliation against Maduro's regime, further complicating any diplomatic efforts or negotiations surrounding migratory and humanitarian issues.
