The US Department of Homeland Security canceled several deportation flights to Venezuela due to operational concerns between 11:45 PM UTC on December 17 and 12:15 AM UTC on December 18, 2025, according to DHS sources cited by journalist Ali Bradley on X. Deportees will remain in detention or be redirected to Mexico if that country agrees, as tensions escalate with Venezuela. An administration official told Bradley on background that flights to Venezuela will resume in the future and the cancellations do not signal a policy change. This development follows President Donald Trump's naval blockade order on December 16, amid ongoing US-Venezuela frictions previously reported. The Trump administration consulted US oil companies on potential investments in a post-Maduro Venezuela scenario, but received no interest due to low oil prices near five-year lows, high political risk, deteriorated facilities, and ongoing sanctions, according to an exclusive report by @MundoEConflicto on X within the 29-minute window. US Air Force KC-46A Pegasus tanker (callsign BIRCH51, registration 22-46103) departed St. Croix ascending southwest, typically supporting F-35B aircraft based in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, as reported by @Flightwatcher1 on X. Separate posts noted stationary altitude reservations in Puerto Rico labeled DCC KENNEL for December 20 by @HHunternight. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was observed pacing in the Oval Office awaiting President Trump's return, per X posts by @FaytuksNetwork crediting @PenguinSix, echoing earlier reports of White House activity amid speculation.
