Venezuelan Families Protest U.S. Deportations to El Salvador

Venezuelan families protested against U.S. deportations of their relatives to a Salvadoran prison, claiming deception about their destination. Over 200 were sent after President Trump invoked wartime powers to expel gang members. The Venezuelan government denounced the situation as kidnapping and is seeking legal recourse for their return.

On March 22, relatives of Venezuelan migrants protested in Caracas against the deportations carried out by the United States, claiming they had been misled about their destination. These individuals were sent to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador on March 16, after U.S. President Donald Trump utilized wartime authority to expel alleged gang members, particularly those associated with the Tren de Aragua gang.

The deportation has resulted in a legal conflict in Washington, with a judge attempting to intervene and block the flights. This situation has incited anger among family members in Venezuela, who assert that many deported individuals were innocent and coerced into surrendering. Gladys Coromoto Rojas expressed disbelief, asking, “How come so many people said they were coming to Venezuela and today they are in El Salvador?” about her grandson’s case.

The family of 36-year-old Maikel Rojas Olivera shared that he had contacted them with news of returning to Venezuela, only to end up in a Salvadoran prison. His sister urged, “We demand that they bring all those innocent boys from El Salvador to their country.” The Venezuelan government condemned this treatment, labeling it as kidnapping, and announced that it would engage legal counsel to facilitate the migrants’ return.

The ongoing protests reflect deep frustrations among Venezuelan families over the perceived injustice of the U.S. deportations, with many asserting their relatives were misled. Legal disputes continue in the U.S. regarding the deportations, while the Venezuelan government actively seeks to repatriate those affected, calling the situation a clear violation of human rights.

Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com