Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was seen dancing at a rally in Caracas on March 4, 2024. This festive gathering coincided with the announcement that deportation flights to Venezuela would restart, despite escalating tensions with the United States. The celebration featured music with the refrain “no war, yes peace,” echoing sentiments from one of Maduro’s speeches, and drew crowds celebrating newly elected Venezuelan leaders.
During the rally, Maduro delivered a strong message of loyalty to the Venezuelan people. He stated, “Just as I swore before the body of our commander [Hugo] Chávez, I now swear to you absolute loyalty beyond this life.” His vow was accompanied by a pledge to stand firm against perceived American aggression, asserting, “Be certain that I will never fail you — never, ever, never.” Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, attended the event wearing a red cap emblazoned with the slogan, “Doubt is Betrayal.”
In a notable development, Maduro’s reaffirmation of commitment came after a brief phone conversation with Donald Trump last month. During this less than 15-minute call, Maduro expressed a willingness to leave Venezuela if he and his family were granted full legal amnesty. Most of his requests were reportedly rejected by Trump, who has since intensified his rhetoric against Maduro’s regime.
On the political front, Trump suggested that a ground invasion of Venezuela is a possibility, as the US increases its amphibious forces in the Caribbean. Over the weekend, Trump declared that Venezuelan airspace should be considered closed, a move that raised eyebrows given his lack of authority to enforce such a decision. This declaration resulted in a significant reduction in air traffic over Venezuela and prompted questions regarding the fate of deportation flights that had been taking place twice a week this year under an agreement between Maduro and Trump.
Maduro confirmed on March 5, 2024, that deportation flights would resume, following an application from US-based Eastern Airlines. The first flight is scheduled for March 6, 2024. This year alone, over 13,000 migrants have been deported to Venezuela on chartered flights, with the last flight arriving shortly before Trump’s air traffic directive.
As the situation develops, the implications of these deportation flights and the ongoing political dynamics between the US and Venezuela remain critical. The relationship between Maduro’s government and the Trump administration continues to evolve amid a backdrop of heightened tensions and complex negotiations.
