Overview
- Venezuela’s interior ministry and aviation authority said a U.S. decision halted a return flight scheduled for December 12.
- A U.S. administration official told CNN there was no suspension and that deportation flights to Venezuela will continue.
- Venezuelan authorities called the alleged halt a unilateral interruption of a coordinated process and urged a reversal.
- The aviation authority said Caracas remains ready to receive its citizens and described the flights as relief for detainees in the U.S.
- Reuters noted rising tensions with a U.S. military build-up in the southern Caribbean and a recent seizure of a sanctioned oil tanker, as repatriation flights have returned over 18,000 Venezuelans this year after a brief pause earlier in December.