US deports Venezuelans for the first time since deadly earthquakes in June

Repatriation Flight Returns Venezuelans After Earthquake Pause

Qwenews.com – On Monday, a commercial aircraft departed from Miami carrying 147 Venezuelan migrants bound for their homeland. The plane touched down at General José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport, located in the city of Barcelona within Anzoátegui state. This marked the first deportation flight since catastrophic seismic events struck Venezuela in late June, which claimed over 6,000 lives and devastated extensive portions of the nation.

Timeline of Disruption and Resumption

Before the natural disasters, the Trump administration maintained a steady pace of deportations, sending hundreds of Venezuelans back each week. That momentum stopped completely when consecutive earthquakes measuring above magnitude 7 leveled communities across the country. Remarkably, the final pre-disaster flight departed just hours earlier with 146 passengers aboard. Tragically, several individuals from that earlier flight perished when their accommodation hotel crumbled during the tremors.

The previous flight had arrived at Venezuela’s primary Simón Bolívar International Airport, which suffered considerable structural damage during the earthquakes. In contrast, Monday’s destination airport remained operational, allowing the smooth landing of the new group.

Official Statements and Welcome

Government officials confirmed the successful operation. The Department of Homeland Security announced that “ICE successfully conducted a removal flight.” A spokesperson added, “For operational security reasons, we would not confirm future removal operations.”

Mervin Maldonado, who leads the repatriation program on Venezuela’s side, expressed optimism in a social media message. He stated that the returning citizens are “returning home, to reunite with their families, to continue their education, to be productive, and to contribute to national development.”

Background on Venezuelan Migration

Thousands of Venezuelans have undertaken perilous journeys to reach American shores, escaping both political persecution and severe economic hardship at home. Their status changed significantly in October when the Supreme Court permitted the Trump administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status for approximately 300,000 Venezuelan migrants. This humanitarian relief program had previously allowed these individuals to remain legally in the United States.

Following that ruling, deportation numbers climbed steadily. According to ICE Flight Monitor data, 1,746 Venezuelans were sent back in May alone, just weeks before the earthquakes began. The situation evolved further in January when the Trump administration captured President Nicolás Maduro during a violent military operation. Under acting President Delcy Rodríguez, deportation flights increased substantially.

Recovery and Diplomatic Renewal

Monday’s departure represented the 165th repatriation flight since early 2025, when Caracas and Washington restarted their deportation agreement. The humanitarian crisis continues as Venezuela enters a prolonged recovery phase. The twin earthquakes devastated entire regions and generated economic losses equivalent to 6% of the nation’s GDP, according to the United Nations Development Programme.

Meanwhile, Rodríguez has prioritized rebuilding ties with the United States. Her administration has opened Venezuela’s oil industry to American investment, freed several political detainees, and coordinated with Washington on regional initiatives. These diplomatic efforts signal a potential turning point for bilateral relations following years of tension.