First deportation flight with 199 Venezuelans lands in Caracas

Caracas

A chartered flight carrying 199 Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States landed in Caracas on Monday, marking the resumption of repatriation flights between the two countries. The flight, which had a stopover in Honduras, touched down at an airport just north of Venezuela's capital.

Footage of the arrival showed deportees expressing relief, with some celebrating and others crossing themselves. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed the resumption of deportations via Honduras, stating that the individuals had no legal right to stay in the U.S. It also acknowledged Honduras's cooperation in managing the process.

The flight follows the halt of repatriations in February, after the Trump administration revoked a license for Chevron to operate in Venezuela, straining relations. President Nicolás Maduro previously stated that the U.S. decision impacted repatriation flights.

The resumption of flights follows concerns in Venezuela over the deportation of 238 Venezuelans to El Salvador, where some were sent to the notorious Cecot mega-prison. While the U.S. accused them of ties to the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua, relatives disputed these claims, asserting their innocence.