Venezuela Approves Restart of U.S. Deportation Flights
Venezuela has authorised the resumption of US-operated migrant repatriation flights, reversing course just days after announcing the program’s suspension amid escalating geopolitical tensions. The flights — operated by Eastern Airlines with a Boeing 777-200ER — will continue operating between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Caracas Simón Bolívar International Airport.
The initial suspension was triggered following comments by US President Donald Trump, who stated that Venezuelan airspace should be considered “closed in its entirety,” a declaration that prompted Caracas to question whether repatriation operations could continue safely and legally. The announcement created uncertainty around the bilateral deportation program that had been reactivated in late 2023 to address rising irregular migration flows.
However, Venezuela’s Ministry of Transport has since confirmed that it received and approved a formal US request to resume the twice-weekly flights. Officials said the authorization ensures that repatriation operations “continue under established protocols” despite the tense political climate. The United States has not issued public comment on the reinstatement, though US agencies have been under pressure to maintain deportation capacity as migrant arrivals continue to increase along the southern border.
The resumption of flights restores a critical mechanism in US–Venezuela migration coordination, allowing Washington to continue returning Venezuelan nationals who do not qualify for asylum or other legal protections. It also underscores Venezuela’s willingness to keep certain technical and administrative channels open with the United States even amid deteriorating diplomatic relations and renewed rhetoric from both governments.
The program remains politically sensitive on both sides. In Venezuela, opposition groups have criticized the flights as evidence of cooperation with the US despite ongoing sanctions and diplomatic isolation. In the United States, the deportation flights have been framed as part of broader efforts to manage border pressures and deter irregular migration.
With the new authorization in place, Eastern Airlines is expected to resume operations immediately, pending standard flight planning and logistical clearances. Whether the arrangement remains stable will depend on the broader trajectory of US–Venezuela relations, which continue to shift rapidly.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com