Venezuela announced on Monday that it had dispatched two planes to bring back undocumented migrants from the United States, following an agreement with the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to a statement from the Venezuelan foreign ministry, the planes were already en route home after President Nicolás Maduro agreed to accept deported migrants and provide transportation for their return. This decision comes as Maduro seeks an end to U.S. sanctions that have crippled Venezuela’s economy.
The Venezuelan government also revealed that the U.S. had informed them that some of the deported individuals were suspected of having links to the notorious Tren de Aragua gang and other criminal organizations. However, the statement did not specify the exact number of Venezuelans being repatriated.
Trump had earlier announced the agreement on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, “Venezuela has agreed to receive, back into their country, all Venezuelan illegal aliens who were encamped in the U.S., including gang members of Tren de Aragua. Venezuela has further agreed to supply the transportation back.”
This development follows a visit by Trump’s envoy, Richard Grenell, to Caracas on January 31, during which he met with Maduro. Despite the U.S. government’s refusal to recognize Maduro’s controversial reelection last year, Grenell’s visit resulted in the release of six American detainees from Venezuela.
However, it remains unclear what Caracas gained from the discussions. Following the talks, Maduro called for a “new beginning” in Venezuela-U.S. relations.
Trump, who is campaigning for a return to the White House, has vowed to execute the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, targeting millions of undocumented immigrants, particularly those from Latin America.
