A Plane from the U.S. with 172 Deported Migrants Landed in Venezuela 0 14

This occurred after the Venezuelan government allowed planes with deported migrants to land, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's statement that Venezuelan airspace was allegedly 'closed.'

The plane took off from Phoenix, Arizona. This was already the second flight this week for the deportation of migrants from the U.S. to Venezuela and took place against the backdrop of increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean as part of a campaign against drug trafficking.

In recent months, U.S. forces have carried out more than 20 strikes against drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and the Pacific, resulting in at least 87 deaths.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claims that the true aim of this U.S. campaign is to overthrow his government and seize Venezuelan oil fields.

At the end of November, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned passenger airlines of the need to 'take extreme precautions' when flying over Venezuelan territory. This FAA warning prompted nearly all international airlines to suspend flights through Venezuelan airspace. Shortly after, Trump stated that Venezuelan airspace should be considered completely closed.

On the deportation flight to Venezuela on Friday, 141 men, 26 women, and five children were delivered, Venezuelan authorities reported.

According to official data, the total number of Venezuelans repatriated to the country through the so-called 'return home' program has reached 18,260, with more than 14,000 arriving from the U.S.