On Monday, Venezuelan authorities confirmed the return to the country of nearly 250 citizens from Mexico, who were deported by the United States following immigration policies implemented during the presidency of Donald Trump. The situation is expected to worsen in April when many of these individuals will lose their work permits due to a change in Washington's view on conditions in Venezuela and its alignment with U.S. national interests.
To date, 609 Venezuelans have been repatriated through deportation flights implemented by the Trump administration, which has indicated that among those deported are individuals associated with the criminal gang Tren de Aragua, recently classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
In a statement broadcast by the state channel Venezuelana de Televisión, the presence, for the first time, of women, boys, and girls among the deported was highlighted. This new series of deportations is part of a stricter immigration policy by the White House, jeopardizing the situation of approximately 348,000 Venezuelans protected under Temporary Protected Status in the United States.
A total of 242 migrants arrived at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, in the northern state of La Guaira, aboard a flight operated by Conviasa airline. Interior Secretary Diosdado Cabello was present at the airport to welcome the Venezuelans, marking this event as the third group of migrants returning to the country from Mexico after being deported from U.S. soil.