By Alejandra Garcia on February 22, 2025
Venezuelans arrive home from Guantanamo Naval Base.
On Thursday, Venezuela announced the arrival of a Conviasa plane with 177 migrants, most of them young men, that were rescued from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. These migrants, part of Venezuela’s “Return to the Homeland” plan, arrived at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, marking a crucial moment in the Bolivarian government’s ongoing efforts to reunite families and restore dignity to those impacted by Washington’s massive deportations.
This operation reflects the Venezuelan government’s commitment to facilitating the safe return of its citizens, who were taken to the base under ridiculous justification, like having some tattoos. The repatriation follows an agreement between the Venezuelan government and the U.S., emphasizing “open, direct dialogue” between the two nations.
As part of the ongoing efforts, the 177 Venezuelans were first shipped to the Soto Cano military base in Palmerola, a joint U.S. and Honduran facility. The Honduran authorities facilitated the transfer of these migrants to a Conviasa plane, operated by Venezuela’s state-owned airline, which then brought them back to their homeland.
“The operation was made possible thanks to the support of the Honduran government, specifically President Xiomara Castro and former President Manuel Zelaya, to whom Venezuela expressed its gratitude,” the government affirmed in a statement.
This rescue is part of Venezuela’s broader “Return to the Homeland” initiative, born in 2018 to support Venezuelans living abroad who were facing economic hardship or vulnerability. President Nicolás Maduro has championed this humanitarian program since its inception in 2018, emphasizing its importance for the reintegration of migrants into Venezuelan society. He underscored the value of this plan, calling it “unique in the world” and recognizing its significance as a diplomatic achievement.
The first major repatriation flight, which took place on February 10, brought 190 Venezuelans back to their country from the United States. Since then, Conviasa flights have become a symbol of Venezuela’s efforts to bring its citizens home, with more than 900,000 Venezuelans having already returned the inception of the initiative. The program provides comprehensive support, including immediate reception, medical examinations, and community reintegration programs.
Venezuela has consistently called attention to the unfair treatment of its nationals, particularly in the context of the U.S. government’s policies and the activities of so-called “coyotes” — people smugglers who have exploited the desperation of many Venezuelans. The Venezuelan government has accused opposition figures, including Juan Guaidó and Leopoldo López, of exacerbating the migration crisis by actively encouraging citizens to make dangerous journeys to the United States, in search of better economic opportunities, not out of concern for those migrating but as a way to undermine and discredit the Venezuelan government.
The Venezuelan government also highlights the role of the media in this narrative, arguing that a concerted campaign by both domestic and international news outlets contributed to the mass exodus of Venezuelans to the U.S., making them more susceptible to exploitation and mistreatment.
President Maduro has pointed out that this repatriation effort is not only about returning citizens to their land but also about restoring the dignity of Venezuelans who were subjected to unfair practices. He has described the effort as one of “tremendous investment,” noting that the resources required to execute this program reflect Venezuela’s commitment to the well-being of its people.
Source: Resumen Latinoamericano – English