Venezuelan Government Pushes Massive Return of Migrants From the United States

• Diosdado Cabello promotes migrant return
• Venezuela urges migrants to come back
• Venezuelans return to the country

The Interior and Justice Minister of Venezuela, Diosdado Cabello, said Monday that 28,000 migrants have returned to the country through the government program Gran Misión Vuelta a la Patria.

The remarks come as the Venezuelan government continues a campaign encouraging migrants to return while reinforcing its narrative about the conditions Venezuelans face abroad.

Cabello did not specify when this figure began being counted.

He also did not detail from which countries the migrants returned.

However, the Gran Misión Vuelta a la Patria program has reported that most returns are occurring from the United States.

Cabello calls on migrants to return to Venezuela

The Interior and Justice Minister of Venezuela, Diosdado Cabello, said that 28,000 migrants have returned to the country through the government’s “Gran Misión Vuelta a la Patria” plan, though he did not specify since when the figure has been counted. https://t.co/3ip4tbpNDr

— EFE Noticias (@EFEnoticias) May 18, 2026

According to EFE, during the weekly press conference of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), Cabello invited Venezuelans to return to the country.

“Everyone returning to their jobs, with their families — come back to Venezuela,” the official said.

The senior Chavista leader argued that many Venezuelans have faced difficult situations abroad.

Cabello claimed that in some countries Venezuelan migrants have been victims of persecution, labor exploitation, and discrimination.

“The campaign against this country was massive,” he stated.

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Cabello also said that those returning are helping strengthen Venezuela while reuniting with their families and returning to work.

“Good children always come home,” he added.

The statements are part of the official narrative promoted by the Venezuelan government regarding the return of migrants.

The Gran Misión Vuelta a la Patria program has been promoted by the administration as a mechanism to facilitate the repatriation of Venezuelans.

Venezuela maintains migration agreement with the United States

Caracas and United States signed a migrant repatriation agreement at the end of January last year.

That agreement remained in place despite bilateral tensions related to the U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean Sea.

The Venezuelan government has stated that it will continue promoting return flights for its citizens.

Most recently reported returns involve Venezuelans arriving from the United States.

Cabello did not provide further details regarding additional flights or future repatriation operations.

Migration has become one of the main points of contact between Caracas and Washington.

Repatriation efforts have continued despite political differences between both governments.

Venezuelan government seeks to attract young migrants

Last Thursday, Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, also urged young Venezuelans to return to the country.

The official made the appeal during the closing ceremony of “Tech Week” in Caracas.

Rodríguez encouraged migrants to contribute their talents in commercial, tourism, and technology sectors.

The vice president said young people could help strengthen areas tied to the economy, communications, and education.

To support that strategy, the government launched the website renacevenezuela.gov.ve.

According to Rodríguez, the platform will allow Venezuelans to register business ventures and entrepreneurial projects.

The Venezuelan government aims to present migrant return as an opportunity for economic and social development.

According to data from the R4V, approximately 6.9 million Venezuelans have left the country in recent years.