Venezuela announces repatriation of compatriots unjustly sent to Guantánamo

Published at: 20/02/2025 06:42 PM

The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela announced this Thursday the repatriation, through the Plan Back to the Fatherland, of a group of compatriots who were unjustly sent to the Guantánamo naval base.

In a statement, released by Foreign Minister Yván Gil, the Bolivarian Government said that “citizens have been transferred to Honduras, from where they will be recovered by Conviasa planes and brought back to join their families” in Venezuela.

The text also highlights that Venezuela was aware of the decision of the United States (USA) to designate different organizations as “terrorists”, including the extinct Aragua Train.

In this regard, they highlight that this criminal structure “was dismantled in Venezuela thanks to the firm and sustained action of the security forces and the Venezuelan justice system.”

Below is the full text of the document:

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has been aware of the decision of the authorities of the United States of America to designate different organizations as “terrorists”, including the extinct Aragua Train, a criminal structure that was dismantled in Venezuela thanks to the firm and sustained action of the security forces and the Venezuelan justice system.

The above-mentioned organized crime group was, at the time, exploited by foreign agencies, such as the FBI and the DEA, for terrorist and destabilizing purposes against the institutions of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. In addition, it was used by sectors of the Venezuelan extreme right to generate chaos, destabilization and violence in the country.

These actors, in their quest to attack peace and democratic institutions, resorted to the manipulation of these criminal structures for political purposes, exposing the population to criminal actions that were confronted and eradicated by the Venezuelan State.

Likewise, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reports that, within the framework of the Plan Back to the Fatherland, it requested the repatriation of a group of compatriots who were unjustly taken to the Guantánamo naval base. This requirement has been accepted and the citizens have been transferred to Honduras, from where they will be recovered by Conviasa planes and brought back to join their families. Venezuela expresses its gratitude to President Xiomara Castro and the Honduran leader Former President Manuel Zelaya for all their collaboration in rescuing these compatriots.

In the event that there is a situation that criminalizes any form of crime established in our legal system by any of the returnees, the competent authorities will act in accordance with the laws of the Republic and with strict respect for human rights.

Venezuela will always combat terrorism and criminal organizations of any kind, while denouncing the manipulation of these elements for political purposes and rejecting any attempt to criminalize the nation and its citizens.

Caracas, February 20, 2025

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