The government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has approved a migrant repatriation flight from the US, allowing the US to continue deportation flights to Venezuela despite President Trump’s order for the country’s airspace to be closed.
“The Aeronautic Authority of Venezuela has received a request from the government of the United States to restart migrant repatriation flights from that country to Venezuela,” Venezuela’s Transportation Ministry said in a statement.
Over the weekend, Trump declared that the airspace “above and surrounding” Venezuela be closed in its entirety, suggesting he was going to enforce a no-fly-zone over the country, which would be an act of war.
In response, Venezuela’s government called the declaration illegal and said Trump’s announcement “unilaterally suspended the Venezuelan migrant flights that were regularly and weekly being carried out.” But now those deportation flights appear to be back on.
Despite the major US military buildup in the Caribbean, US demands for Maduro to cede power, and threats of war, Venezuela has continued to cooperate on deportations and has made clear it’s willing to work with the Trump administration. According to The Associated Press, more than 13,000 Venezuelans have returned to the country this year on flights from the US.
President Trump recently spoke with Maduro by phone, and, according to media reports, said the only way the Venezuelan leader could save himself and his family is if they flee the country. The demand suggests that the US will maintain the pressure on Venezuela and continue moving closer to war despite the Venezuelan government’s cooperation.
