Venezuela returns nearly 200 migrants from US flights

Two planes from Venezuela returned nearly 200 undocumented migrants from the United States, marking a significant event in President Trump's mass deportation efforts. The flights, which departed from Fort Bliss, Texas, and arrived in Caracas, are seen as a potential thaw in U.S.-Venezuela relations, as the Maduro government has agreed to accept deported citizens after years of refusal. Trump envoy Richard Grennell oversaw the operation, emphasizing that the flights were 'paid for by Venezuelans.' The Venezuelan government has criticized narratives surrounding the deportees, asserting that most are hardworking individuals and rejecting claims linking them to criminal gangs. This development follows a broader context of U.S. efforts to manage rising illegal immigration, particularly from Venezuela, and comes in the wake of recent agreements with Central American nations. The flights also coincide with heightened scrutiny over the treatment of migrants in both countries, as the UN has warned against forced returns to Venezuela amid ongoing political instability there.