President Nicolás Maduro ordered the suspension of deportation flights from the United States to Venezuela, Venezuelan officials confirmed Monday. This decision directly responds to the Trump administration’s recent revocation of Chevron’s operating license in Venezuela.
“The United States decided to suspend Chevron’s license, and we say, ‘Ah, something is happening here!'” stated Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela’s Minister of the Interior. Maduro added that the US action “damaged the communications we had established” for migrant returns.
The deportation program began just last month following a high-profile meeting between Trump’s Special Envoy Richard Grenell and Maduro. Only about 370 Venezuelans returned to their homeland through this arrangement.
The program aimed to deport approximately 5,000 Venezuelan migrants from US territory. Chevron operated as the only major American oil producer in Venezuela. The company produced over 200,000 barrels daily, representing roughly 25% of Venezuela’s total oil production.
Trump announced the revocation on February 27, criticizing Maduro’s government for failing to implement electoral reforms. The Treasury Department gave Chevron just 30 days to wind down operations instead of the usual six-month transition period.
Venezuela Cuts Deportation Flights as Trump Revokes Chevron’s Oil License. (Photo Internet reproduction)
This shortened timeframe signals a significant escalation in economic pressure against Venezuela. The Biden administration had granted Chevron expanded production permissions in November 2022.
US Revokes Chevron’s Venezuela License Amid Election Dispute
These permissions aimed to secure guarantees for Venezuelan elections held in July 2024. Many countries, including the US, rejected the official results declaring Maduro the winner.
Experts predict Venezuela could lose between 200,000 and 300,000 barrels of crude oil production daily without Chevron. This reduction threatens Venezuela’s struggling economy, which had shown modest recovery partially due to oil revenues.
Nearly eight million Venezuelans left their country between 2014 and 2024 due to economic collapse and political instability. Venezuelans constituted the second-highest nationality encountered at the US southern border last year.
Trump justified the license revocation by claiming Maduro’s regime received “billions of dollars” from Chevron’s operations. He also criticized Venezuela for allegedly delaying deportation of “violent criminals” from the US.
The termination of both agreements demonstrates the complex relationship between immigration policy, diplomatic relations, and economic interests in US-Venezuela relations.