Protests Erupt as Venezuelans Denounce U.S. Deportations to El Salvador
Relatives of Venezuelan migrants demonstrated against U.S. deportations to El Salvador, claiming they were misled about their loved ones being returned to Venezuela. Over 200 individuals were sent to a Salvadoran prison, sparking outrage in Venezuela and legal challenges in the U.S. The Venezuelan government has called the deportations a kidnapping and is pursuing legal avenues for repatriation.
On March 22, relatives of Venezuelan migrants protested against the deportation of over 200 individuals sent by the United States to a prison in El Salvador. Families expressed that they felt “deceived” into believing that the migrants were being returned to Venezuela, with hopes of reuniting only to discover their loved ones were in a maximum security prison instead.
The deportees, flown from the U.S. on March 16, were said by the Trump administration to be part of the Tren de Aragua gang or illegal immigrants. This action has incited significant legal challenges in Washington and outrage in Venezuela as families contend many deported were not engaged in any criminal activities and had been misled into surrendering.
Gladys Coromoto Rojas, grandmother of a deportee, questioned the situation, stating, “How come so many people said they were coming to Venezuela and today they are in El Salvador?” Meanwhile, Maikel Rojas Olivera’s family claimed he had called them to say he was returning home, only to find out he was actually sent to El Salvador. His sister vehemently stated, “We demand that they bring all those innocent boys from El Salvador to their country.”
The Venezuelan government has characterized the deportations as a kidnapping and has committed to hiring a law firm to facilitate the safe return of its citizens from El Salvador, highlighting the growing diplomatic tensions resulting from this incident.
The situation involving the deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, described by families as a deception, raises critical humanitarian and legal issues. The protests highlight the emotional distress of families separated under these controversial circumstances, while the Venezuelan government actively seeks to repatriate its citizens. Both the legal ramifications in the U.S. and the diplomatic relations between the countries remain at stake.
Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com
