Venezuela: Maduro Rejects US Deportees After Trump’s Chevron Order | Firstpost America | N18G

Maduro Rejects US Deportees After Trump’s Chevron Order | First..In recent weeks, tensions between the United States and Venezuela have escalated due to intertwined issues of oil sanctions and deportation policies. The situation intensified when U.S. President Donald Trump revoked Chevron’s license to operate in Venezuela, prompting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to halt the acceptance of deportation flights from the U.S.

Chevron’s License Revocation

On February 26, 2025, President Trump announced the revocation of Chevron’s license to operate in Venezuela. This decision aimed to increase economic pressure on Maduro’s regime by cutting off a significant source of revenue. Chevron’s operations in Venezuela accounted for approximately 220,000 barrels of crude oil production per day, about a quarter of the country’s total output of 900,000 barrels per day. The revocation threatened to reduce Venezuela’s oil production by 200,000 barrels per day, potentially decreasing its GDP by 7.5%.

The license, initially granted by the Biden administration in November 2022, was part of a strategy to secure guarantees for fair elections in Venezuela. However, the July 2024 elections were widely disputed, with many countries, including the U.S., rejecting the official results that declared Maduro the winner.

Maduro’s Response: Halting Deportation Flights

In retaliation, President Maduro’s administration announced it would stop accepting deportation flights from the U.S. This decision disrupted the repatriation of Venezuelan migrants, many of whom were alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang. As of February 20, 2025, Venezuela had received 360 deported individuals, a number significantly lower than the U.S. administration’s expectations.

Maduro’s officials privately warned the Trump administration about halting the deportation flights following the Chevron license revocation. This move was seen as a direct response to the economic sanctions imposed by the U.S., highlighting the fragile nature of the agreements between the two nations.

Impact on U.S.-Venezuela Relations

The revocation of Chevron’s license and the subsequent halt of deportation flights have strained the already tenuous relations between the U.S. and Venezuela. The U.S. administration justified the license revocation by accusing Maduro’s regime of delaying the deportation of “violent criminals” from the U.S. Trump claimed that Maduro had failed to expedite the deportations as quickly as agreed upon, leading to the decision to revoke the oil license.

Experts suggest that Maduro’s decision to halt deportation flights was a strategic move to pressure the U.S. into reconsidering the sanctions. The Venezuelan economy, already struggling, could face further decline without the revenue generated from oil exports. This economic vulnerability may have influenced Maduro’s initial willingness to accept deportation flights in exchange for economic concessions.

The international community has expressed concern over the escalating tensions. Ecuador’s President, Daniel Noboa, criticized Maduro for refusing to accept deported Venezuelans, labeling his actions as those of an “authoritarian and extremist” government. Noboa emphasized that Ecuador would not accept migrants deported from other countries, highlighting the regional implications of the U.S.-Venezuela dispute.

Furthermore, Venezuela condemned the U.S. deportations as illegal and a violation of human rights, particularly criticizing the use of a seldom-invoked wartime law to deport alleged gang members to El Salvador. Venezuela called on the international community, especially the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), to oppose this precedent, expressing concerns about its impact on the region.

Current Status and Outlook

As of March 13, 2025, reports indicate that Maduro has agreed to resume accepting deportation flights from the U.S. This development suggests a potential de-escalation of tensions and may indicate ongoing negotiations between the two countries. However, the details of any agreements or concessions made by either side remain unclear.

The situation underscores the complex interplay between economic sanctions and immigration policies in U.S.-Venezuela relations. The revocation of Chevron’s license served as a significant economic lever, influencing Venezuela’s cooperation on deportation matters. Moving forward, both nations face the challenge of balancing domestic interests with diplomatic relations, as the repercussions of these decisions extend beyond their borders, affecting regional stability and international economic dynamics.