MOSCOW: Venezuela is obliged to accept its citizens deported from the United States (US), otherwise Washington will impose new sanctions against the country, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, as reported by Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

"Venezuela is obligated to accept its repatriated citizens from the US. This is not an issue for debate or negotiation. Nor does it merit any reward. Unless the Maduro regime accepts a consistent flow of deportation flights, without further excuses or delays, the US will impose new, severe, and escalating sanctions," Rubio said on X on Tuesday.

Rubio's statement came amid worsening relations between Washington and Caracas after the US deported more than 250 members of Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua to El Salvador. Venezuelan authorities criticised the actions and refused to take the criminals back.

-- BERNAMA