CARACAS – In a remarkable shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations, the United States has deported 177 migrants from its military base in Guantánamo, Cuba, back to their home country of Venezuela. This marks the latest sign of growing cooperation between the two previously hostile governments. 

An American aircraft transported the migrants to Honduras, where the Venezuelan government then retrieved them and brought them to Caracas. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello personally welcomed the entirely male group of deportees at the airport, greeting them with the words, "Welcome to the fatherland." 

This highly coordinated operation would have seemed impossible just a few weeks ago, when the United States accused President Nicolás Maduro of stealing the election. However, relations have thawed since President Donald Trump took office four weeks ago. The White House has made immigration cooperation a priority, leading to this significant development. 

Maduro explained that the transfer occurred at the “direct request” of his government to President Trump’s administration. “We have saved 177 new migrants from Guantánamo,” he said during an official gathering.