U.S. Air Force C-40 Clipper Transports Diplomats to Caracas for Immigration Talks
A modified Boeing 737-700, designated as a C-40 Clipper by the United States Air Force (USAF), was used to transport U.S. diplomats to Caracas, Venezuela.
The flight took place as part of an initiative ordered by then-President Donald Trump to begin discussions between the U.S. and Venezuelan governments. The primary objective was to address several bilateral issues, particularly concerning migration and Venezuela’s political situation.
One of the key points of these negotiations was the acceptance of deportation flights carrying Venezuelan nationals who had entered the United States illegally and were being held by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These individuals were awaiting decisions on their deportation back to Venezuela. Reports indicate that in recent years, hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have migrated to the U.S. due to the worsening economic, political, and social conditions in their home country, with many being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In recent days, ICE arrested dozens of Venezuelans, including at least 25 members of criminal gangs. While an exact number of detainees has not been disclosed, estimates suggest there are thousands, given that over 545,000 Venezuelans have arrived in the U.S. in recent years.
In 2023, some direct deportation flights from the U.S. to Caracas had already taken place. However, after the political situation in Venezuela worsened—especially following the controversial elections that secured Nicolás Maduro’s reelection—the U.S. government reinstated sanctions against Venezuela. In response, the Venezuelan government stopped accepting deportation flights, further complicating the situation.
On board the C-40 Clipper was Richard Grenell, Trump’s special envoy for immigration affairs. Grenell, a key figure in the negotiations, stated that "talking is part of the strategy to win." The aircraft departed from Andrews Air Force Base, though further details on the mission remain undisclosed.
Responsable English Feed en Aviacionline. Reportero gráfico.
Para comentar, debés estar registradoPor favor, iniciá sesión