The United States is set to resume deportation flights to Venezuela this Friday, marking a significant development in the complex relationship between the two nations.

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The flights, which had been suspended earlier this month, were initially halted following President Donald Trump’s decision to revoke Chevron Corp.’s license to operate in Venezuela. This move had strained diplomatic ties, but recent negotiations appear to signal a shift.

Ric Grenell, Trump’s special envoy, announced the resumption of flights via a post on X, stating, “I am pleased to announce that Venezuela has agreed to resume flights to pick up their citizens who broke U.S. Immigration Laws and entered the U.S. illegally. The flights will resume Friday.” The Venezuelan Information Ministry has yet to issue a response to the announcement.

The deportation flights were previously suspended last year after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro reacted to President Joe Biden’s threats to reimpose oil sanctions. These sanctions were tied to Maduro’s perceived failure to implement democratic reforms.

Flights briefly resumed in February after Ric Grenell’s visit to Caracas, during which he secured the release of six American citizens detained in Venezuelan prisons. However, the flights were halted again earlier this month when the U.S. Treasury gave Chevron a 30-day deadline to cease operations in Venezuela.

Maduro recently criticized the U.S. for “damaging communications” by revoking Chevron’s license, but the latest agreement to resume deportation flights suggests a potential thaw in relations. This development comes as both nations navigate a delicate balance of political and economic interests.

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