Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello greeting children arriving on a repatriation flight alongside migrants expelled from the US empire, on April 3, 2025. Photo: IG/@partidopsuv.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—511 Venezuelan migrants have now been returned to their homeland, under the Venezuelan government’s Return to the Homeland Program, following controversial mass deportations from the US empire.
The arrivals, who returned this Thursday, April 3, included two groups repatriated via México and Honduras, with Venezuelan authorities emphasizing dignified reintegration and sticking to security protocols.
Morning flight from México
An initial Conviasa flight carrying 313 Venezuelans landed at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, La Guaira state. The Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello oversaw the operation, noting the group included 151 children, 60 men, and 102 women (16 of whom are pregnant). Six unaccompanied children were also reunited with families after verification protocols.
“The Return to the Homeland Plan ensures every Venezuelan receives state support and individualized case reviews,” Cabello explained, highlighting the program’s focus on safeguarding vulnerable groups.
Afternoon flight from Texas via Honduras
A second Conviasa flight arrived in the afternoon with 198 Venezuelans repatriated from Texas. Transport Minister Ramón Velásquez Araguayán confirmed rigorous pre-boarding checks, including fingerprint verification by SAIME (Venezuela’s immigration authority), to confirm citizenship and to screen for criminal ties.
“None of the returnees are linked to the Tren de Aragua criminal network,” Velásquez clarified. “Those with minor police records will undergo further review, but all cleared individuals will reunite with families and access social services,” the minister continued.
Reintegration and ongoing efforts
Authorities outlined a multi-step process for returnees, involving immigration review, medical checks, housing assessments, and integration into local productive initiatives. “We want them to rebuild their lives here, in their homeland,” Velásquez added, referencing President Nicolás Maduro’s call for returnees to contribute to national development.
With Thursday’s arrivals, the total number of Venezuelans repatriated from the US empire since February now reaches 1,808. Officials anticipate additional flights this week, including one directly from the US entity.
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/AU
