Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced in a televised address on Saturday that his government has reached an agreement with the United States to resume repatriation flights of Venezuelan migrants, with the first flights scheduled to begin on Sunday.
“Tomorrow, thanks to the government's perseverance, we'll resume flights to continue rescuing and freeing migrants from prisons in the United States,” Maduro declared. The move comes amid escalating tensions over recent deportation flights that sent hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador as part of President Donald Trump’s rapid U.S. deportation program.
In a related development, Venezuela’s Parliament President Jorge Rodríguez released a statement earlier in the day confirming the deal, emphasizing that “migrating isn't a crime, and we won't rest until everyone who wants to return is back and we rescue our kidnapped brothers in El Salvador.” Families and legal representatives, who have been desperate for news regarding their missing relatives, welcomed the decision, hoping it would pave the way for reuniting those stranded abroad.
The decision to resume repatriation flights comes as part of an ongoing diplomatic spat between Venezuela and the United States over the handling of Venezuelan migrants. Maduro specifically criticized El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele for the deportations, stating, “To Nayib Bukele, El Salvador's President, we say that you're responsible,” and urging that the affected migrants—allegedly not involved in any criminal activity—be treated with respect for their health and rights.
While the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment, U.S. officials have maintained that the deportees were identified as members of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang—a claim that Venezuela's interior minister has denied. The Trump administration now faces a March 25 deadline to provide further details on the deportations, as U.S. District Judge James Boasberg reviews whether officials violated his order that temporarily blocked the expulsions.
The resumption of these flights marks a critical juncture in ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian fallout from the U.S. deportation policies and highlights the delicate balance between enforcing immigration controls and safeguarding the rights of migrants.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 10th of December, covering the latest developments you need to...
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday he was prepared to hold elections within three months if the U.S. and Kyiv's other allies coul...
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The world’s leading minds and voices will be honoured on Wednesday, 10 December, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, as Nobel Prizes are presented in Stockholm and Oslo.
Scores of demonstrators gathered outside the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo Tuesday (9 December) to protest against the awarding of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
Pressure is mounting between Venezuela and the United States as both nations emphasise military preparedness and strategic positioning.
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth defends follow-up strike on suspected drug boat in the Caribbean, denies authorizing the killing of all onboard, and comments on protocols for military operations.
Authorities in Japan lifted all tsunami warnings on Tuesday following a strong 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck off the northeastern coast late on Monday, injuring at least 30 people and forcing around 90,000 residents to evacuate their homes.
Scores of demonstrators gathered outside the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo Tuesday (9 December) to protest against the awarding of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
Pressure is mounting between Venezuela and the United States as both nations emphasise military preparedness and strategic positioning.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 10th of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The world’s leading minds and voices will be honoured on Wednesday, 10 December, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, as Nobel Prizes are presented in Stockholm and Oslo.
The United Nations Security Council has issued warnings about the rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, citing a sharp surge in civilian casualties amidst Russia's intensified aerial attacks, marking the deadliest period of the war in more than a year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday he was prepared to hold elections within three months if the U.S. and Kyiv's other allies could ensure the security of the vote.
Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia entered into a third day on Wednesday as U.S. President Donald Trump said he would make a phone call to stop the conflict.
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