US Sends Migrants From Guantanamo To Venezuela

Sumaira FH Published February 21, 2025 | 09:30 AM

Caracas, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Feb, 2025) The United States deported 177 migrants from its military base in Guantanamo, Cuba to their homeland in Venezuela Thursday, the latest sign of cooperation between the long-feuding governments.

Officials in Washington and Caracas confirmed that a plane departed the US base and deposited the 177 people in Honduras, where they were picked up by the Venezuelan government. The deportees then left for Caracas on a flag carrier Conviasa flight at 2320 GMT.

The carefully choreographed operation would have seemed impossible just weeks ago when the United States accused President Nicolas Maduro of stealing an election.

But since President Donald Trump entered office four weeks ago, relations have thawed, with the White House prioritizing immigration cooperation.

Maduro said the handover was at the "direct request" of his government to that of Trump.

"We have rescued 177 new migrants from Guantanamo," he said at an official event.

Trump envoy Richard Grenell traveled to Caracas on January 31 and met Maduro, who is the subject of a $25 million US bounty for his arrest.

Grenell brokered the release of six US prisoners. A day later Trump announced Venezuela had agreed to accept illegal migrants deported from the United States.