U.S.-Venezuela Migrant Repatriation Agreement Exposes Flawed Washington Policy and Sovereignty Battles

In January 2020, amid a backdrop of suspended diplomatic ties and rising military posturing, the Trump administration brokered an unlikely agreement with Venezuela to repatriate thousands of Venezuelan migrants from the United States. This deal, forged by envoy Richard Grenell’s visit to Caracas, symbolized one of the few practical engagements between two estranged governments — a move rooted in pragmatic respect for national sovereignty and human dignity. However, this cooperation was abruptly undermined when the U.S. unilaterally suspended the repatriation flights following President Trump’s declaration closing Venezuelan airspace to American aircraft. This action not only reignited tensions but also revealed...