Venezuela claims the United States asked for permission to resume flights carrying deportees

"Tensions between Washington and Caracas have reached fever pitch following U.S. President Donald Trump's warnings about closing Venezuelan airspace and apparent disagreements between the two leaders during a phone call last week, according to U.S. media. Nevertheless, both governments have agreed to resume deportation flights that were supposed to be suspended, along with flights from several commercial airlines from Europe and Latin America, which canceled their routes following U.S. authorities' warnings the danger posed by increased military operations."

"On Tuesday, a statement from the Venezuelan Ministry of Transportation announced that the United States had requested authorization for Eastern Airlines to continue operating its Phoenix-Maiquetia route. By order of President Nicolas Maduro, Eastern Airlines aircraft are authorized to enter our airspace. As a result, on Wednesdays and Fridays, flights carrying around 200 Venezuelan migrants each will continue as they have been since February, as part of agreements achieved by Trump's envoy Richard Grenell in exchange for the release of U.S. citizens detained in Venezuela."

"A total of 75 flights carrying more than 13,000 Venezuelans have taken place this year, amid Trump's anti-immigration policies. The repatriation of our compatriots to reunite Venezuelan families through the Return to the Homeland Plan will continue, the Venezuelan statement concludes. The measure further complicates the evolving political crisis between the two countries and the mechanisms that might drive a possible negotiation or at least a communication channel amid the hostilities."

Tensions between Washington and Caracas have escalated after U.S. warnings about closing Venezuelan airspace and apparent disagreements during a recent phone call. Both governments authorized resumption of deportation flights and permitted some commercial routes that had been canceled after U.S. safety warnings. The Venezuelan Transportation Ministry said the United States requested authorization for Eastern Airlines to continue Phoenix–Maiquetía service, and President Nicolás Maduro ordered Eastern aircraft allowed into Venezuelan airspace. Flights on Wednesdays and Fridays will carry about 200 Venezuelan migrants each, under agreements brokered by U.S. envoy Richard Grenell tied to releases of detained U.S. citizens. Seventy-five flights transporting over 13,000 Venezuelans have occurred this year.

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