Venezuelans back home as US allows repatriation flight

(Trinidad Guardian) Venezuelan nationals who were delayed on Thursday in returning home via a plane sanctioned by the United States’ Government departed T&T just after 6 pm on Friday after a successful Government outreach to the US Embassy.

The Embassy agreed the humanitarian flight wouldn’t attract sanctions from the US, clearing the way for the aircraft to fly to T&T.

National Security Minister Stuart Young confirmed this in Parliament on Friday replying to queries from Opposition Member of Parliament Saddam Hosein on the issue.

Almost 100 Venezuelans had expected to leave T&T to return home on Thursday on a Conviasa aircraft arranged by the Venezuelan Government. Among those who were to return were people with terminal illnesses and disabilities, the elderly and children.