Plan Vuelta a la Patria returns 100 nationals from Dominican Republic amid COVID-19 contingency - MPPRE

Plan Vuelta a la Patria returns 100 nationals from Dominican Republic amid COVID-19 contingency

Amid the contingency caused by COVID-19, the Bolivarian Government, in coordination with Dominican authorities and Venezuela’s Conviasa airline, returned on Wednesday, March 25, 100 nationals who were stranded in the Caribbean country as part of the state program called Plan Vuelta a la Patria. Venezuela’s Vice Minister for Latin America Rander Peña and President of Conviasa Ramón Velázquez received and welcomed the 100 Venezuelans at the Maiquetía International Airport. “This is the result of the efforts made by a good family father, President Nicolás Maduro. As a good father, he is at the forefront of this contingency. He has taken the necessary steps to offer his friendly hand to those Venezuelan who were stranded in other countries,” said Peña. The Venezuelan vice minister also stressed that “the Venezuelan Government has made a lot of efforts to address the situation of Venezuelans who want to return.” Likewise, he remarked that though Conviasa has been under sanctions and restrictions, the Venezuelan airline has taken on this contingency.” “Conviasa and the Bolivarian Government are here at the forefront responding to requests from everywhere beyond ideological stances. President Nicolás Maduro has lent his helping hand,” he said. Conviasa President Ramón Velázquez pointed out that 87 Venezuelans requested to return to their country, but the airplane had enough capability to bring 100 nationals back. Likewise, Velázquez talked about the effort made by Conviasa’s workers. “The Conviasa staff has made a great effort. We have to acknowledge our pilots, stewardesses, and technical staff. They are risking their lives to carried out this humanitarian mission. They assist in accordance with the established protocols for passenger boarding and disembarkment at the Maiquetia International Airport,” said Velázquez. Conviasa’s President added that 25% of the airline’s staff is currently active 24 hours per day to heed any call by President Nicolás Maduro to bring back Venezuelans who could be in an emergency situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Humanitarian Flights Conviasa has been placed at the service of Venezuelans who are waiting to return through the Plan Vuelta a la Patria after President Nicolás Maduro took measures to support those nationals who are stranded overseas due to the health emergency caused by COVID-19. President Nicolás Maduro also gave orders to bring back those Venezuelans in the United States who haven’t been able to return due to the suspension of their flights. Currently, Venezuela is waiting for the US authorities’ authorization.