despite the UN’s warning that there should not be forced profits to the disturbed Caribbean nation, Venezuela has brought home nearly 200 illegal migrants from the United States.
Caracas sent two helicopters which returned home later Monday, saying it hoped for a “new end” in relations with Washington, which does not understand Nicolas Maduro as the government’s genuine president.
But in Geneva, the UN refugee agency ( UNHCR ) insisted that “people (under ) international protection should not be returned, and there should be no forced returns to Venezuela”.
US President Donald Trump has pledged to carry out the biggest imprisonment battle in the country’s past, vowing to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, many of whom are from Latin American countries.
Around 600, 000 Venezuelans in the United States were given imprisonment shelter under his father Joe Biden shortly after taking office on January 20. This is a defense that foreigners cannot properly returning home from because of combat, natural disasters, or other “extraordinary” circumstances.
According to UNHCR spokesman William Spindler, the position in Venezuela has not changed, and there has actually been more social unrest there since the recent elections.
On January 31, Maduro, who was demanding an end to US restrictions, agreed to accept deported migrants ‘ profit and offered to provide the transportation.
The United States and a number of other nations, many of which recognize criticism member Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the legitimate winner, have rejected Maduro’s state of victory in elections held in July.
The contested poll results sparked protests in which at least 2, 400 people were arrested, with 28 killed and about 200 wounded in the turmoil.
Animal rights and dignity
The first two Cuban flights, chartered by state ship Conviasa, arrived later Monday at Maiquetia international airports, which serves the investment Caracas.
Some of the migrants had handcuffs that were removed before they disembarked, with some raising their arms in celebration as they descended, an AFP reporter witnessed.
In a statement from the foreign ministry, Venezuela has consistently stated that any transfer of Venezuelans must be done in full respect for their dignity and human rights.
It also stated the Venezuelan government’s hope for” a new beginning of relations between the two countries, based on respect”.
After Trump recognized then-opposition leader Juan Guaido as the “interim president” following 2018 elections that were widely dissented as neither free nor fair, Caracas cut ties with Washington in January 2019.
Despite international pressure, Maduro continued to hold onto his position of authority and re-established his grip on it. He took the oath of office last month for a third six years.
As part of a deal for US prisoners and a pledge to hold free elections, the Biden administration relaxed sanctions on Venezuelan oil.
In a swap, Venezuela freed 10 US citizens, but after Maduro failed to implement democratic reforms, Biden reimposed penalties.
There was a concession, however, that allowed companies such as Chevron to continue operating in Venezuela, which has the world’s largest proven oil reserves.
Despite Washington’s objections to his regime, Grenell had traveled to Caracas to meet Maduro and had returned home with six Americans who had been detained there.
It was not clear what Caracas gained from the talks, which Mauricio Claver-Carone, US special envoy for Latin America, has said did not imply any softening of the US position on Maduro.
The Trump administration has stated that” we don’t need Venezuelan oil.”
The White House reportedly accompanied by two passengers on a Conviasa plane, which was captured on social media on Monday and read:” Repatriation flights to Venezuela have resumed, with Ambassador @RichardGrenell supervising the first two flights. MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN”.
Trump repeatedly brought up allegations of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants during his election campaign, despite the fact that immigrants are statistically less likely than native-born Americans to commit crimes.
According to officials, some deported Venezuelans had alleged connections to the Tren de Aragua gang, but Diosdado Cabello, the country’s interior minister, said “very few” had criminal records.
According to an official from the interior ministry, all passengers would go through a criminal history check, with those who were detained for violating the country receiving release. The alleged criminals would be put in jail for their arrests while their cases would be investigated, according to an official from the interior ministry.
