On Tuesday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro granted permission for a repatriation flight from the United States, just days after he indicated that the program would be impacted due to rising tensions with Washington.
According to a statement from the transportation ministry, “The Aeronautic Authority of Venezuela has received a request from the government of the United States to resume migrant repatriation flights from that country to Venezuela.”
The ministry further noted that an Eastern Airlines flight from Phoenix has been authorized to land at Maiquetia, located near Caracas.
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump cautioned that the airspace surrounding Venezuela should be regarded as “closed,” acknowledging his phone conversation with Maduro. This remark led Caracas to unilaterally suspend repatriation flights for Venezuelan migrants.
The Venezuelan government previously reported that nearly 14,000 Venezuelans returned home from the US on these flights between February and November, amidst the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement in the US.
In the meantime, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that he “did not personally see survivors” prior to the authorization of a second attack on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat. His comments come as the Trump administration faces scrutiny from lawmakers regarding the use of military force.
An initial strike reportedly left two survivors clinging to the burning vessel, but a subsequent strike was allegedly ordered, resulting in their deaths. The strike on September 2 has raised concerns that US forces may have violated the laws of armed conflict.
On Monday, Trump and his senior national security officials convened at the White House to deliberate on the government’s forthcoming actions in Venezuela as tensions escalate between the two nations.
In the midst of these developments, Maduro has dismissed the notion of “a slave’s peace,” as his leadership faces mounting pressure from the Trump administration.
