The Venezuelan government denied on Wednesday the claims made by the United States regarding the presence of individuals linked to the transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua among the 190 deportees who arrived in Caracas. According to Nicolás Maduro's regime, none of the deportees have connections to this criminal organization, as previously stated by Washington.
The Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, declared on his television program that only 17 of the deportees have pending legal issues, mainly related to events that occurred between 2010 and 2018. Cabello assured that the deportees were received in a dignified manner at the Maiquetía international airport, singing the national anthem and sharing their testimonies, with some expressing gratitude for being removed from difficult situations.
The deportees also shared details about the coyotes they paid and who they were. Prior to the arrival of the flights, the U.S. government informed Venezuela about the involvement of some individuals in criminal activities related to the Tren de Aragua.
At the end of January, the U.S. special representative, Richard Grenell, visited Caracas and met with Maduro, resulting in the release of six Americans detained in Venezuela and an agreement to accept deported migrants.
