Flight Operations Continue Amidst Tensions Between U.S. and Venezuela
In a surprising turn of events, flights operated by the U.S. returning deported migrants to Venezuela will persist, despite President Donald Trump’s prior statement declaring the South American nation’s airspace as “closed.” This development unfolded with the Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, announcing on Tuesday that these flights would continue following a request from the Trump administration.
This announcement stands in contrast to a previous declaration by Venezuela’s government, which suggested that U.S. immigration authorities had unilaterally halted the return flights. On Monday, Eastern Airlines, a U.S.-based airline, submitted an overflight and landing application, seeking permission to land on Wednesday, a move that was made public by Venezuela’s foreign affairs minister on Tuesday.
Changing Policies Amid Pressure
Notably, Venezuelans have been consistently deported back to their native country this year. This policy shift came after Maduro faced pressure from Washington, leading him to abandon a long-standing practice of refusing deportees from the U.S. Since the year began, over 13,000 immigrants have returned on charter flights, with the latest arrival occurring on Friday. These flights continue to operate despite a backdrop of U.S. military actions against vessels suspected of drug smuggling in both the eastern Pacific Ocean and off the Caribbean coast of Venezuela.
Military Actions and Threats of Escalation
The Trump administration has stated that these military strikes are aimed at dismantling drug cartels, some of which it alleges are under Maduro’s control. During a meeting with his Cabinet at the White House, Trump hinted at extending military actions to land operations soon, although he refrained from specifying exact locations. He suggested that Colombia could potentially be a target, stating, “You know, the land is much easier, much easier. And we know the routes they take.”
Trump’s comments have raised eyebrows worldwide. He further asserted, “We know everything about them. We know where they live. We know where the bad ones live. And we’re going to start that very soon too.” When asked for clarification, the President emphasized that his remarks were directed at countries involved in manufacturing and selling fentanyl or cocaine.
Pope Leo XVI Calls for Dialogue
As diplomatic tensions heighten, Pope Leo XVI called for the U.S. to prioritize dialogue and adopt economic pressure over military threats against Venezuela. On Tuesday, the Pope, who made history as America’s first pontiff, shared his views during a flight back from Lebanon. He indicated that the Vatican, along with the Venezuelan bishops’ conference, were making efforts to mediate and alleviate the sufferings of ordinary Venezuelans.
He remarked, “The voices coming from the United States change, with a certain frequency at times,” highlighting the contrasting tones in U.S. rhetoric. “On the one hand, it seems there was a telephone conversation between the two presidents, on the other, there’s this danger, this possibility of an operation including invading the territory of Venezuela.” However, he expressed a preference for seeking dialogue and economic strategies rather than military actions, reinforcing the need for peaceful solutions during these tumultuous times.
