Diplomatic Clash Between US and Venezuela Over Deportation Flights

The United States and Venezuela are engaged in a diplomatic dispute over deportation flights. After Venezuelans were repatriated from Mexico, the U.S. denied claims of ongoing flights, asserting that Venezuela is misleading the public. Despite claims of readiness on Venezuela’s part to resume flights, the U.S. Department of State stated that the process is being obstructed by political decisions.

A diplomatic conflict arose between the United States and Venezuela regarding the deportation of Venezuelans. Following an aircraft’s arrival in Caracas from Mexico carrying repatriated Venezuelans, the U.S. government refuted Venezuela’s allegations about repatriation flights, asserting that these claims were false. This incident is part of President Trump’s efforts to expedite the removal of migrants, as indicated by reports from Reuters.

On the same day, 311 Venezuelans were transported from the United States to Caracas, although the U.S. Department of State refuted the existence of any ongoing repatriation flights from Mexico. In a social media statement, they urged President Maduro to cease misleading claims and to organize regular flights for repatriation.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reported that the flight contributed to a total of 920 recently deported migrants, stating it was a result of an agreement with Mexico. Cabello did not provide specific details regarding this agreement, which has raised questions about the diplomatic interactions between the associated nations.

The head of Venezuela’s Congress, Jorge Rodriguez, expressed readiness to restore direct flights from the U.S., attributing the hindrance solely to U.S. State Department officials. His comments, shared on state-run television, highlight ongoing diplomatic tensions affecting the repatriation process.

In a separate incident, the United States recently deported over 200 suspected members of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador. They are currently being held in a contentious prison facility despite legal challenges regarding the deportation’s legitimacy, demonstrating the complications in U.S. immigration enforcement policies.

The ongoing diplomatic rift between the United States and Venezuela centers on deportation flights that both countries claim to control. The U.S. government has refuted Venezuela’s assertions about repatriation efforts, while Venezuelan officials have accused the U.S. of obstruction. This tension continues as both nations navigate the complexities of migrant deportation and their respective immigration policies.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com