Kast will reactivate ties with Venezuela to advance its migration policy

Chile has announced plans to restart diplomatic ties with Venezuela as part of its broader strategy to enforce stricter migration policies. The two nations reached an agreement this Thursday to restore consular relations, marking a key step toward the normalization of bilateral ties. This move comes amid President José Antonio Kast’s commitment to deport undocumented migrants, including Venezuelans, who have been living in Chile under irregular status. The joint statement released by Chile's Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlined a roadmap for gradually restoring full diplomatic relations. It emphasized that the restoration of consular links would serve as the foundation for future cooperation. Kast expressed optimism about the new phase of relations, stating that both countries would work together to address shared challenges in the region. Venezuela had severed diplomatic relations with Chile in 2024 following elections that the ousted leader, Nicolás Maduro, claimed he won. Earlier this year, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil stated that restoring ties was "impossible" due to what he described as verbal attacks by Kast against Venezuela and its people. However, recent developments suggest a shift in policy, possibly influenced by the capture of Maduro by U.S. forces in January and subsequent efforts to reintegrate Venezuela into regional diplomacy. Chile has already carried out eight deportation flights this year, bringing the total number of deportations to 1,270, surpassing the numbers recorded in each of the previous four years. None of these flights included Venezuelan citizens, though the government confirmed that 6,722 individuals, mostly Venezuelans, had voluntarily left Chile since January. Some of these departures were linked to the June earthquake in Venezuela, which caused widespread damage and displacement. Prior to the suspension of diplomatic relations, Chile conducted limited deportation flights to Venezuela. In 2023, a charter flight transported 16 Venezuelan nationals expelled for various crimes to Caracas. Kast took office vowing to identify and remove undocumented migrants, a promise that led to the military beginning to dig a trench along a section of the border with Bolivia and Peru shortly after his inauguration on March 11. The presence of the Venezuelan gang "Tren de Aragua" in Chile has raised serious security concerns, linking them to migrant trafficking, extortion, prostitution rings, and drug smuggling. These activities have intensified calls for stricter immigration controls, aligning with Kast’s policy agenda. In March, Frank Sauerbaum, the national director of Migration, indicated that tens of thousands of people were prepared for deportation but that the government lacked the necessary resources to carry out the existing orders. He noted that the situation with Venezuela prevented the repatriation of those expelled, representing half of the 37,000 individuals identified for removal. Chile’s decision to resume diplomatic ties with Venezuela follows similar steps taken by Peru, which announced on July 24 that both countries had agreed to initiate a process to fully restore bilateral relations. This suggests a regional trend toward reengagement with Venezuela despite ongoing political and economic challenges. The resumption of consular relations could facilitate the implementation of Kast’s migration policies, particularly regarding the deportation of undocumented migrants. However, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on the availability of resources and the willingness of both governments to cooperate. As the situation evolves, further actions and responses from both sides are anticipated.