Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stern warning to Venezuela, stating that the country would face "severe and escalating" sanctions if it continues to refuse the repatriation of its citizens from the United States. The announcement underscores the heightened tensions between the two nations regarding immigration and deportation policies.

According to Anadolu Agency, Rubio emphasized on social media platform X that Venezuela is obligated to accept its citizens being repatriated from the US. He stressed that this obligation is non-negotiable and should not be seen as an opportunity for bargaining or reward. Rubio further warned that if Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government fails to comply by accepting a steady stream of deportation flights, the US would respond by imposing new, severe, and escalating sanctions.

This warning comes amid the Trump administration's intensified efforts to deport migrants residing in the US without legal status, as well as the termination of a temporary residency program benefiting approximately 350,000 Venezuelans who escaped their country's ongoing economic and political crisis. The move marks a significant shift in US policy, aiming to address illegal immigration while pressuring the Maduro regime.

In response, Venezuela has condemned the recent transfer of over 200 migrants from the US to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act, a measure invoked by President Trump. The Venezuelan government labeled the transfer a "vulgar kidnapping" and criticized the operation for failing to uphold human rights and due process for the affected individuals. The diplomatic spat adds another layer of complexity to the already strained relations between Washington and Caracas.