According to reports, 177 Venezuelans were transferred from the United States, utilizing a route through Honduras before the individuals were returned to Caracas after being held at Guantanamo Bay. After a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flight to Honduras, the individuals subsequently boarded a Venezuelan aircraft operated by the state-owned airline Conviasa. This marks a rare instance of coordinated deportations between the two countries, with recent flights carrying a total of 190 individuals directly from the U.S. to Venezuela.

The administration of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro asserted that the group had been unjustly taken to Guantanamo Bay and requested their repatriation. The U.S. government, meanwhile, has alleged that some of those detained at the naval base are linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, a notorious criminal network that has expanded beyond Venezuela into other regions, including the U.S. Recently, the U.S. formally designated the gang as a “foreign terrorist organization.”

However, the Venezuelan government has not only claimed its commitment to combating terrorism and criminal organizations but also condemned what it views as politically motivated efforts to stigmatize the country and its people. The Maduro administration has made claims that the terror group has been dismantled, despite reports from multiple nations confirming the arrests of Tren de Aragua members.

The Trump administration has prioritized deportations of individuals who have exhausted all legal avenues to remain in the U.S., with ICE data indicating that nearly 1.5 million individuals, including over 22,000 Venezuelans, have final removal orders, reports the Associated Press.

Guantanamo Bay, known primarily for detaining terrorism suspects post-9/11, has also been used to house migrants intercepted at sea. A recent court filing by U.S. immigration and military officials highlighted Venezuela’s historical reluctance to accept deportees but noted a shift following political negotiations.

Last week, two U.S. government flights departed from Texas and Louisiana for Guantanamo Bay before proceeding to Honduras, where Venezuelan officials took custody of the deportees. The exact number of passengers on these flights remains unclear, adds the Associated Press. 

Trump previously stated his intention to expand Guantanamo’s migrant detention capacity, aiming to house up to 30,000 individuals, though the facility’s current capacity is about 2,500. Meanwhile, a legal challenge seeks to ensure access to legal counsel for detainees and to mandate prior notice before their transfer to Guantanamo or deportation to other countries.

The Departments of Homeland Security and Defense have acknowledged logistical difficulties in providing in-person visits for detainees but continue to assess options for legal access.