US sends migrants from Guantanamo to Venezuela

The United States deported 177 Venezuelan migrants from its military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Thursday, marking a rare instance of cooperation between Washington and Caracas despite their historically strained relations.

Officials from both nations confirmed that a US aircraft transported the migrants to Honduras, where they were received by Venezuelan authorities. The group then boarded a Conviasa flight bound for Caracas, departing at 2320 GMT.

This coordinated operation underscores a notable shift in diplomatic engagement since President Donald Trump took office four weeks ago. Despite previously condemning Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for election fraud, the White House has prioritized immigration collaboration in its early agenda.

Maduro acknowledged that his government had formally requested the repatriation, stating, "We have successfully rescued 177 compatriots from Guantanamo." His remarks came during an official event.

Richard Grenell, a senior Trump administration envoy, visited Caracas on January 31 for direct negotiations with Maduro, who remains a target of a $25 million US bounty. Grenell’s diplomatic efforts led to the release of six American detainees. Shortly thereafter, Trump announced that Venezuela had agreed to receive deported nationals from the United States.

'Repatriation Request' -

Venezuela framed the event as a sovereign initiative, asserting that its government had "requested the return of Venezuelans unjustly detained at the Guantanamo naval base." Caracas emphasized that the individuals were first transferred to Honduras before being "recovered" by Venezuelan authorities.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the operation, stating that "177 Venezuelan illegal aliens were transported from Guantanamo Bay to Honduras today for repatriation by Venezuelan authorities."

Diplomatic ties between the two nations have been severed since January 2019, when Washington recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s "interim president" following contested elections widely criticized as fraudulent. While Maduro briefly allowed US deportation flights into Venezuela in late 2023, he revoked permission four months later.

Despite strained relations, Venezuela has operated repatriation flights for citizens wishing to return, either free of charge or with government subsidies. Maduro’s administration remains eager to negotiate relief from US-imposed economic sanctions and to move past international scrutiny over the disputed July 2023 elections, which many countries claim were won by the opposition.

The controversial election triggered mass protests, resulting in the arrest of at least 2,400 people, with 28 fatalities and approximately 200 injuries reported.

In the United States, human rights organizations have taken legal action seeking oversight of migrant conditions at Guantanamo, especially after Trump ordered the base to prepare for the arrival of up to 30,000 undocumented individuals.

Guantanamo Bay remains infamous for its role in detaining terrorism suspects following the September 11 attacks, further complicating its use as a holding facility for migrants.

On the same day, the United States deported an additional 135 migrants of various nationalities, including individuals from China, Russia, Afghanistan, Ghana, and Vietnam. These deportees were sent to Costa Rica, where authorities confirmed their repatriation to their respective countries.

Costa Rica and Panama have increasingly functioned as transit hubs for migrants expelled under the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

This article was reported by journalist Angelia.