Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns Venezuela of severe sanctions if it does not accept deported citizens from the U.S. This comes amid increased deportation efforts by the Trump administration, with many deportees fleeing Venezuela’s economic decline. Rubio emphasizes Venezuela’s obligation to accept these citizens and expresses gratitude toward El Salvador for accepting deported gang members, showcasing cooperation in addressing this migration crisis.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a stern warning to Venezuela, stating that the country will encounter severe and escalating sanctions if it fails to accept repatriated citizens from the United States. This declaration coincides with the efforts of the Trump administration to increase deportations of Venezuelans residing illegally in the U.S. and to potentially affect the legal status of numerous Venezuelans through temporary residency programs.
Many of these individuals migrated to the United States due to the economic decline in Venezuela under President Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian regime. In a statement on X, Rubio asserted, “Venezuela is obligated to accept its repatriated citizens from the U.S. This is not an issue for debate or negotiation. Nor does it merit any reward.” He emphasized the importance of consistent deportation flights without delays, warning that failure to comply would lead to new sanctions.
The ultimatum follows comments from Richard Grenell, President Trump’s special envoy, who mentioned that the Maduro administration had agreed to accept repatriation flights after a previous refusal. Furthermore, the Trump administration has intensified its efforts to deport Venezuelan gang members back to their homeland, with recent events resulting in the transportation of 238 gang members to a high-security prison in El Salvador, despite a temporary court order blocking such actions.
Rubio has expressed gratitude towards El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele for his nation’s willingness to accept these deported individuals. He remarked, “Venezuela should be taking them, but they refuse to take them. And so, we are fortunate to have a friend like President Bukele who… will take them for a fraction of what it costs you guys to house them in your own prison system.”
In conclusion, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has underscored the urgency of Venezuela accepting its citizens that have been deported from the United States, warning of severe consequences if the Maduro government does not comply. The backdrop of this warning includes increasing deportations by the Trump administration amidst ongoing economic struggles in Venezuela, alongside international cooperation noted between the U.S. and El Salvador regarding the acceptance of deported individuals. This situation reflects broader implications for U.S.-Venezuela relations as the issue of repatriation unfolds.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
