First group of migrants deported from the US arrives in Venezuela

The first plane carrying 199 migrants deported from the United States to Venezuela has landed, Euronews reported.

The plane reportedly arrived at Maiquetia International Airport north of Caracas on Monday morning. Since the United States and Venezuela do not have diplomatic relations, the plane first took off from a military base in Texas and landed in Honduras. From there, the migrants were sent to Venezuela on another plane.

The US government said in a statement: “These individuals have no legal basis to remain in the United States. We expect deportation flights to Venezuela to continue on a regular basis in the future. We thank President Castro and his government of Honduras for their cooperation in combating illegal immigration.”

Last week, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and US President Donald Trump reached an agreement to deport migrants. Repatriations to Venezuela had been suspended since February, after the US president revoked Chevron's license to operate in Venezuela.

Washington's decision to resume flights to Venezuela came after 238 Venezuelans were sent to the CECOT mega-prison in El Salvador. The US government has accused them of links to the Tren de Aragua criminal group. However, relatives of the deported migrants deny these accusations.

"Migration is not a crime. We will continue to fight for the return of all those in need and for the release of our brothers who were kidnapped in El Salvador," said Jorge Rodriguez Gomez, the speaker of the Venezuelan National Assembly.

Last week, Nicolas Maduro ordered his government to increase the number of flights needed to repatriate Venezuelans captured in the US. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”