United States: The United States has deported more than 177 Venezuelan migrants from the Guantanamo Bay military base, transferring them to Venezuela via Honduras, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed.
Venezuelan authorities took custody of the deportees at Soto Cano, a joint US-Honduras military airbase, before flying them to Caracas on a Conviasa flight. Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello was present at the airport to welcome the arrivals.
President Nicolas Maduro described the handover as a “direct request” from his government, calling the action a “rescue” of Venezuelan nationals. A spokesperson from the US Department of Homeland Security stated that among those deported, 126 individuals had criminal charges or convictions, including 80 allegedly affiliated with the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua.
The remaining 51 had no known criminal history. Cabello confirmed that all deportees would undergo health checks before any pending legal proceedings continue in Venezuelan courts. Following this transfer, no more migrant detainees remain at the Guantanamo Naval Base.
However, The Associated Press, citing Thomas Cartwright from the advocacy group Witness at the Border, reported that additional immigrant transfer flights arrived at Guantanamo Bay from Texas and Louisiana. The deportation pursues a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, which sought legal access for migrants held at the controversial detention facility.
US authorities stated in a court filing that Venezuela had historically resisted accepting repatriations but shifted its position after “high-level political discussions and an investment of significant resources.” This latest deportation comes after Venezuela sent two planes to the US, repatriating around 190 Venezuelan nationals—an indication of enhancing diplomatic ties despite longstanding tensions between Washington and Caracas.
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