The US and Venezuela will restart deportation flights for Venezuelan migrants, following a temporary halt. Richard Grenell announced the flights will resume, while Venezuelan lawmaker Jorge Rodríguez emphasized the protection of deported migrants’ rights. The program resumes amidst Venezuela’s ongoing economic crisis, raising fears about the safety and welfare of returnees, particularly under the current political climate.
On March 13, senior officials from the United States and Venezuela confirmed the resumption of deportation flights for Venezuelan migrants, following a temporary pause in the controversial repatriation program that began last month. Richard Grenell, a special envoy for former President Donald Trump, announced that flights would resume on Friday. Venezuelan lawmaker Jorge Rodríguez, who has been involved in negotiations regarding migration and sanctions, stated that the agreement aims to protect the rights of deported migrants.
The ongoing economic and political crisis in Venezuela has led many Venezuelans to seek refuge in the United States. However, the deportation program encountered issues when President Nicolás Maduro claimed that the flights were affected by the Trump administration’s revocation of a key oil license, which previously allowed Chevron to operate in Venezuela. This decision stemmed from Washington’s concerns over the lack of electoral reforms and delays in returning migrants.
Maduro’s government condemned the revocation as part of a broader economic war perpetrated by the United States through sanctions. Despite the official results declaring Maduro the winner of last year’s disputed presidential election, the opposition published alternate figures indicating a victory by a landslide. The lack of transparency in vote tallies led the United States and various other countries to dismiss the results as fraudulent.
The revival of deportation flights is expected to draw renewed criticism from human rights organizations, which caution that many deported migrants may face persecution or severe economic hardship upon their return to Venezuela. The situation remains complex and raises serious humanitarian concerns for returning migrants.
The United States and Venezuela’s decision to resume deportation flights underscores the ongoing struggles faced by Venezuelan migrants amid a dire economic and political crisis. Despite assurances regarding the protection of deported individuals, widespread concerns persist regarding their potential persecution and destitution upon return. The implications of these deportations are far-reaching, eliciting strong responses from human rights organizations and raising questions about the overall effectiveness of such immigration policies.
Original Source: www.firstpost.com
