The U.S. and Venezuela experienced a diplomatic clash over deportation flights, with accusations flying from both sides. The U.S. denied claims of repatriation flights, while Venezuela asserted that their agreements were being obstructed. Recent actions included the U.S. deporting alleged gang members to El Salvador amidst rising tensions.
The United States and Venezuela engaged in a diplomatic confrontation on deportation flights as Venezuelans arrived home from Mexico. This conflict surfaced with the U.S. denying Venezuela’s assertions regarding repatriation flights. The situation escalated following a flight carrying deported Venezuelans, aligning with President Trump’s initiative to expedite migrant expulsions.
Earlier, 311 Venezuelans were flown from Mexico to Caracas, igniting accusations from the U.S. Department of State. They claimed President Maduro’s government was misleading the public about ongoing repatriation operations. The U.S. government communicated via social media, stating, “Maduro must stop misleading and schedule consistent, weekly repatriation flights.”
Venezuelan officials, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, countered by stating that the deportation flight was a culmination of an agreement with the Mexican government, although no specifics were disclosed. He noted that this flight added to a total of 920 deportations recently.
Jorge Rodriguez, the head of Venezuela’s Congress, asserted that the nation was prepared to resume direct flights from the U.S., blaming the U.S. State Department for obstructing these operations. “The only thing preventing these flights is the US State Department,” he mentioned on state-run TV.
In another development, the United States recently deported over 200 alleged members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador. These deportees are currently held in a contentious prison facility, with U.S. judges questioning the legality of their transfer and detention.
In summary, the significant diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela revolve around the deportation of Venezuelan migrants. The U.S. accuses Venezuela of providing false information about repatriation flights while Venezuela claims the U.S. is impeding the process. With both sides expressing contentious views, this evolving situation reflects broader issues of immigration and diplomatic relations.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com