A plane carrying 231 Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States touched down in Venezuela on Friday. The Eastern Airlines flight arrived at an airport near the capital city of Caracas. This event signals the restart of deportation flights between the two nations.
Resumption After Pause
Washington had unilaterally halted direct air transfers in mid-December. The last such direct flight from the United States occurred on December 10. Venezuelan officials confirmed the resumption this week. Return flights for deported migrants had been regularized since late March. This was part of transfer agreements reached by both governments.
Political Context
The landing comes nearly two weeks after former president Nicolás Maduro was captured by US authorities. He was taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges. Tensions had escalated after US military forces launched operations against boats suspected of drug smuggling. These operations took place in international waters of the Caribbean and Pacific.
Several vessels were said to have set sail from Venezuela. The process of deportation flights faced repeated disruptions due to these tensions.
Trump's Immigration Stance
President Donald Trump has made a tough stance on undocumented immigration a central focus. His second term has overseen widespread immigration raids and the deportation of migrants. Maduro consistently claimed that Trump could order military action aimed at toppling him.
Opposition Views
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado spoke on Friday. She said her country is beginning a "true transition" to democracy. Machado added that Venezuela will become free with support from the United States and Trump.
"We are definitely now into the first steps of a true transition to democracy," Machado stated at an event in Washington. She noted it will have an "immense impact in the lives of all Venezuelans" as well as across the region and the world.
Machado claimed, "Venezuela is going to be free, and that's going to be achieved with the support of the people of the United States and the president, Donald Trump." Her party has provided evidence alleging that Maduro stole the 2024 election. Washington and much of the international community back these claims.
US Support Shifts
Trump has sidelined Nobel laureate Machado. Instead, he supports former vice president Delcy Rodriguez as the interim leader. This follows the January 3 US military operation that captured President Nicolás Maduro. Rodriguez now leads the oil-rich nation.
Trump stated that Machado lacks sufficient support among Venezuelans. He chose to back Rodriguez provided she ensures US access to Venezuela's vast oil reserves. Machado said on Friday that Rodriguez is "following orders" rather than acting independently.
Diplomatic Moves
Machado's remarks came a day after US Central Intelligence Agency chief John Ratcliffe met Rodriguez in Caracas. According to a US administration official speaking anonymously, Ratcliffe visited Venezuela to deliver a message. The United States looks forward to an improved working relationship.
Bolivarian National Police officers stood guard as the plane landed at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia. This flight is the first since the military incursion that overthrew and captured President Nicolas Maduro.
