CARACAS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela announced Saturday that it had reached an agreement with the U.S. government to resume repatriation flights for its citizens, with the next flight scheduled for Sunday.

Venezuela struck the deal to guarantee the "return of our compatriots to their nation with the safeguard of their human rights," said Jorge Rodriguez, president of the National Assembly and chief negotiator with the United States.

The resumption comes amid heightened tensions over U.S. President Donald Trump's deportation policies. Venezuela has criticized recent mass deportations and called for the release of over 200 Venezuelan migrants being held in El Salvador without due process.

"Migration is not a crime," said Rodriguez. "We won't rest until everyone who wants to return is back and we rescue our kidnapped brothers in El Salvador."

The repatriation flights had been suspended since March 8, following Trump's decision to revoke energy giant Chevron's operating license in Venezuela. Enditem

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