177 Venezuelan Migrants Deported from Guantanamo Bay Amid Controversy

On Thursday, February 20, 2025, a flight carrying 177 Venezuelan migrants, previously detained at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, landed in Caracas, Venezuela.

The deportees were first transported to Honduras before being flown home on a flight operated by Venezuela’s national airline, Conviasa.

The deportation follows months of controversy surrounding the use of the Guantanamo Bay facility to detain migrants as part of former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that the operation significantly reduced the number of migrants held at the base.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro welcomed the returnees, describing them as “individuals who left due to U.S. sanctions and emphasizing that they are not criminals. He added that Venezuela would embrace them as a productive force.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello was present at the airport to greet the arrivals and announced that all deportees would undergo health evaluations before addressing any legal matters.

Reports indicate that among those deported, 126 individuals were linked to criminal charges or convictions, with 80 allegedly tied to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua criminal gang.

The remaining 51 had no criminal records. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that high-level political discussions facilitated Venezuela’s agreement to accept its citizens back after years of resistance.

The deportations have sparked criticism from advocacy groups, which argue that migrants detained at Guantanamo face limited legal representation and due process rights.

A recent lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has called for better access to legal counsel for detainees.

The return of these Venezuelan nationals marks a significant development in U.S. Venezuela relations, signaling potential shifts in diplomatic ties between the two nations.

However, questions remain about the broader implications of using Guantanamo Bay for immigration detention and the treatment of migrants under such policies.