Venezuela is set to restart flights for its citizens deported by the US, following a breakthrough in negotiations with Donald Trump administration. Despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, Venezuela had initially agreed to accept deportees back in February.

However, President Nicolas Maduro put a stop to the flights in March amid escalating tensions with the Trump administration. He said on Saturday: "Tomorrow, thanks to the government's perseverance, we'll resume flights to continue rescuing and freeing migrants from prisons in the United States." Mr Trump's special envoy, Richard Grenell, was instrumental in securing an initial agreement with the Venezuelan government to repatriate its citizens deported from the US.

The US president wrote on Truth Social: "Venezuela has agreed to receive, back into their Country, all Venezuela illegal aliens who were encamped in the US, including gang members of Tren de Aragua. Venezuela has further agreed to supply the transportation back."

However, the arrangement came to a halt on March 8 when the US Treasury Department revoked Chevron's license to export oil from Venezuela.

Then, on March 15, the Trump administration expelled 238 Venezuelans, suspected of being part of the Tren de Aragua gang, to El Salvador, where they are currently held in a large-scale prison facility.

The US government has remained tight-lipped about the identities and alleged crimes of the individuals it has deported, leaving many questions unanswered.

Jorge Rodriguez, the head of Venezuela's national assembly, said that Venezuela had agreed to a deal ensuring "the return of our compatriots to their nation with the safeguard of their human rights".

He added: "Migrating isn't a crime, and we won't rest until everyone who wants to return is back and we rescue our kidnapped brothers in El Salvador."

Mr Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify the expulsion of 137 Venezuelan deportees, which was immediately met with legal opposition.

A verbal order from a federal judge in Washington DC aimed to stop the flights, to no avail.