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)â511 Venezuelan migrants have now been returned to their homeland, under the Venezuelan governmentâs 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 MĂŠxico and Honduras, with Venezuelan authorities emphasizing dignified reintegration and sticking to security protocols.
Morning flight from MĂŠxico
An initial Conviasa flight carrying 313 Venezuelans landed at SimĂłn BolĂvar International Airport in MaiquetĂa, 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.
âThe Return to the Homeland Plan ensures every Venezuelan receives state support and individualized case reviews,â Cabello explained, highlighting the programâs 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 RamĂłn VelĂĄsquez AraguayĂĄn confirmed rigorous pre-boarding checks, including fingerprint verification by SAIME (Venezuelaâs immigration authority), to confirm citizenship and to screen for criminal ties.
âNone of the returnees are linked to the Tren de Aragua criminal network,â VelĂĄsquez clarified. âThose with minor police records will undergo further review, but all cleared individuals will reunite with families and access social services,â 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. âWe want them to rebuild their lives here, in their homeland,â VelĂĄsquez added, referencing President NicolĂĄs Maduroâs call for returnees to contribute to national development.
With Thursdayâs 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
