Protests Erupt in Venezuela Against US Deportations to El Salvador
On March 23, 2025, families of Venezuelan migrants protested in Barquisimeto after over 200 were deported to a Salvadoran prison by the United States, purportedly for being gang members. Families assert that many were misled and are innocent. The Venezuelan government condemned the detention as kidnapping and is taking legal action to secure their return.
On March 23, 2025, protests erupted in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, where families of Venezuelan migrants deported by the United States to a Salvadoran prison demanded their release. Over 200 Venezuelans were sent to a maximum security facility on March 16, as the Trump administration utilized wartime powers to expel alleged gang members, igniting legal disputes and outrage.
The U.S. government maintains that these individuals were linked to the criminal Tren de Aragua gang or were illegal immigrants. However, relatives argue that many deported were not criminals and had been misled into believing they were returning to Venezuela.
“How come so many people said they were coming to Venezuela and today they are in El Salvador?” questioned Gladys Coromoto Rojas, a grandmother demanding justice for her deported grandson. During the protest, family members recounted how their loved ones had communicated plans to return home, only to find themselves in a foreign detention facility.
The family of Maikel Rojas Olivera, who was detained by ICE last October, expressed shock over his unexpected deportation. His sister insisted, “We demand that they bring all those innocent boys from El Salvador to their country.” Approximately 80 individuals participated in the protest, including relatives and community members.
The Venezuelan government characterized the deportations as kidnappings, announcing intentions to hire a law firm to facilitate the migrants’ return. The situation remains tense as families continue to rally for the release of their loved ones imprisoned abroad.
The recent deportations of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador have led to widespread protests emphasizing family concerns. Families claim that many individuals were misled regarding their deportation and are calling for justice. The Venezuelan government has condemned these actions, describing them as kidnappings and seeking legal avenues for the return of their citizens. Thus, the ongoing legal and diplomatic ramifications remain significant as the situation develops.
Original Source: www.bssnews.net
