Protests Erupt as Venezuelans Decry US Deportations to El Salvador

Relatives of Venezuelan migrants protested the U.S. deportation of over 200 individuals to a Salvadoran prison. Families claim they were misled into believing they were being returned to Venezuela. The situation has resulted in legal disputes and outrage in Venezuela, as the government describes the detentions as kidnappings.

On March 22, relatives of Venezuelan migrants protested for the release of those deported by the United States to a Salvadoran maximum security prison, expressing their feelings of being misled. Over 200 Venezuelans were deported on March 16, following President Trump’s invocation of wartime powers to expel alleged gang members, amid claims of a legal stalemate in Washington.

The Trump administration maintained that the deported individuals were connected to the Tren de Aragua gang or were illegal immigrants. However, many relatives assert that the deportees were unjustly transported to El Salvador, with some believing they were returning to Venezuela. Gladys Coromoto Rojas, whose grandson was among the deported, questioned, “How come so many people said they were coming to Venezuela and today they are in El Salvador?”

Families emphasized that some of the deported individuals were innocent and had been tricked into surrendering. The family of 36-year-old Maikel Rojas Olivera stated he had been in communication regarding his return to Venezuela, only to find he had been sent to El Salvador. “We demand that they bring all those innocent boys from El Salvador to their country,” his sister asserted.

In response to these events, the Venezuelan government characterized the detention of its nationals in El Salvador as kidnapping and announced intentions to hire a law firm to facilitate their repatriation.

The protests led by relatives of Venezuelan deportees underscore the emotional turmoil and legal complexities surrounding U.S. deportation practices. As families demand justice and the repatriation of their innocent members, the situation continues to evoke sharp reactions from Venezuelan officials, highlighting the broader implications of immigration policies. This incident raises critical questions about the treatment of migrants and the responsibilities of nations involved.

Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com