Venezuelans, Cubans, and Colombians Relocated to African Nation Following Trump-Era Deportation Agreement

On Thursday, Liberia marked a significant diplomatic collaboration with the United States, welcoming the country’s inaugural deportation flight loaded with foreign nationals. This initiative is part of a broader agreement, allowing up to 1,200 individuals to be relocated to Liberia over the coming year.

Initially, Liberia anticipated receiving 20 deportees. However, the majority of those on the plane were nationals hailing from Latin American countries such as Venezuela, Cuba, and Colombia, according to a statement from Liberia’s Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah to Reuters.

These individuals were deported to Liberia as a protective measure. Many were previously deemed at risk of facing torture or other forms of abuse if returned to their homelands, according to Liberian authorities. The nation, known for its tradition of offering refuge to the displaced, views the agreement as an extension of its humanitarian mission.

Migrants arriving in Liberia will have the liberty to leave the country if they wish or pursue formal asylum. They will also be offered assistance from the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations refugee agency, as reported by Reuters.

According to Reuters, the plane departed from Louisiana and stopped in Senegal before landing in Monrovia at 12:45 p.m. local time.

In a statement Tuesday, Liberia highlighted its history of accepting people “seeking refuge from political and other crises” and said it will not repatriate anyone until legal proceedings are complete.

“The Government of the Republic of Liberia agrees not to return any person transferred to Liberia by the Government of the United States of America to their home country or country of former habitual residence until a final decision has been made regarding any pending protection claims,” officials said.

“The Government wants to emphasize that those being brought to Liberia are not criminals and are not being prosecuted in any manner under United States or Liberian law. They are being received as guests of the Republic of Liberia,” officials said.

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Liberia said it is not demanding compensation under the deal but will receive “support to help manage the program and strengthen its migration system more broadly.”

Reuters said the U.S. awarded Liberia $5 million this year for “migration management activities.”

Liberia’s agreement to accept up to 1,200 deportees makes it one of the largest such deals on the African continent.

The U.S. also reached agreements with several other African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Ghana and Sierra Leone, Reuters said.