U.S. Resumes Deportation Flights to Venezuela Following Diplomatic Agreement

The first flight under the new deal has landed, reigniting disputes over gang affiliations and human rights concerns.

Venezuela and the U.S. have reached an agreement to resume deportation flights after a suspension tied to oil sanctions and diplomatic tensions.
The first flight under the new arrangement landed on March 23, transferring 199 deportees via Honduras to Venezuela.
The U.S. claims many deportees are members of the Tren de Aragua gang, but Venezuela denies these allegations and accuses the U.S. of violating human rights.
Earlier deportations saw over 200 Venezuelans sent to a high-security prison in El Salvador, leading to criticism and demands for their return.
The resumption of flights aligns with President Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, invoking the Alien Enemies Act to justify deportations.