International

Venezuela welcomes first group of deported migrants following U.S. diplomatic agreement

Two flights carrying Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States arrived in Venezuela early Tuesday, after the government of Nicolás Maduro authorized their return.

The 190 migrants, who according to AFP traveled on two planes operated by the state airline Conviasa, are the first group to be deported following a meeting between Richard Grenell, special envoy of Donald Trump, and President Maduro in Caracas at the end of January.

“The first plane of the Venezuelan flag airline, Conviasa, has just landed, bringing this first group of returnees to Venezuela safely, lovingly, appropriately, and with dignity,” said Maduro during his weekly television program.

“We’ve taken a favorable and positive step,” he added, celebrating the event.

Previously, the Venezuelan Ministry of Communications issued a statement informing that it had been notified by Washington that some of those deported were “allegedly linked to criminal activities, or involved with the criminal gang ‘Tren de Aragua’.”

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Meanwhile, the White House announced on its X account that the resumption of deportations was a step to “make the U.S. a safe country again.”

International

Venezuela accuses Guyana of “warlike intentions” after UK defense deal

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez denounced what she called “warlike intentions” from Guyana on Saturday (April 12, 2025), following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Guyana and the United Kingdom aimed at strengthening bilateral defense cooperation.

“Guyana threatens Venezuela with its founding fathers. The UK and the U.S. are the architects behind the territorial dispossession of our Guayana Esequiba. These are the same actors who forged a fraudulent arbitration award in 1899 to strip Venezuela of its land,” Rodríguez stated via Telegram.

Rodríguez, who also serves as Venezuela’s Minister of Hydrocarbons, warned the region about “these drums of war, in clear violation of the CELAC declaration that recognizes Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace.”

“Venezuela will stand firm in defending its legitimate rights, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in all scenarios,” she added.

International

Nightclub Collapse in Dominican Republic Claims 226 Lives

The death toll from the collapse of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic has risen to 226, authorities confirmed on Saturday after completing the recovery and identification of the bodies.

The tragedy occurred in the early hours of April 8, when the roof of the venue collapsed during a concert by popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who also died at the scene.

“There were 221 victims found at ground zero and four more who died in hospitals,” said Health Minister Víctor Atallah during a press conference. Later, his office confirmed the death of a Costa Rican national on Saturday, bringing the total to 226.

Atallah added that the number of fatalities could still rise, as several people remain in critical condition.

International

Trump Authorizes Military to Take Control of Federal Land Along U.S.-Mexico Border

In a presidential memorandum issued Friday afternoon, Trump directed the Secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security, Interior, and Agriculture to facilitate the transfer of designated public lands to allow for “military activities” under the jurisdiction of the Pentagon.

According to the document, the land transfer must begin within the next 45 days. The only area specifically named in the order is the so-called “Roosevelt Reservation”, a narrow strip of federally owned land—approximately 20 meters wide—that runs parallel to the U.S.-Mexico border for about 1,000 kilometers, stretching from New Mexico to California.

The memo does not clarify what specific military operations will take place on these lands or what their exact purpose will be.