On Saturday, President Trump announced that Venezuela has agreed to accept all Venezuelan illegal migrants detained in the United States and arrange for their transportation back home.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, "Venezuela has agreed to receive, back into their country, all Venezuelan illegal aliens who were encamped in the U.S., including gang members of Tren de Aragua," noting that Venezuela would also provide transportation for their return.
The Venezuelan government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Following a high-level visit by U.S. envoy Richard Grenell, who returned with six U.S. citizens, the main objectives were to secure the release of detained Americans and repatriate Venezuelans.
The White House clarified that the visit did not confer recognition of Venezuela's leadership by the U.S., acknowledging the contentious history between the two nations involving strained relations, sanctions, and allegations of coup attempts.
Grenell confirmed that no financial or other concessions were promised to Maduro, stating to the Wall Street Journal, "The only award for Maduro was my physical presence, the first senior U.S. official to visit the country in years.”
Maduro expressed hope for ongoing dialogue with Trump, calling their meeting a positive first step.
Trump touted the agreement as a win in his efforts to engage Latin and Central American countries in receiving deported migrants, emphasizing the record numbers being removed from various nations.
Recent tensions with Colombia were eased when they agreed to accept military deportee flights, while Mexico, who had accepted deportations previously, continued to receive non-Mexican migrants in the past week. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum signaled potential agreements with other Central American nations for receiving deportees.
Since assuming office on January 20, Trump has intensified measures against illegal immigration, including increased deportations.