Relatives of Venezuelan migrants protested against US deportations to El Salvador, claiming deception. Over 200 individuals were sent to a Salvadoran prison, leading to outrage among families. The Venezuelan government denounced this as kidnapping and is pursuing legal action for their return.
On March 23, 2025, relatives of Venezuelan migrants protested in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, demanding the release of their loved ones deported by the United States to a prison in El Salvador. These families claimed they had been “deceived” into believing their relatives were being sent to Venezuela. The deportations occurred on March 16, when over 200 Venezuelans were sent to a maximum-security facility in El Salvador following a decision by President Donald Trump to expel alleged gang members.
The legal implications surrounding these deportations are significant, with a Washington judge attempting to block the flights. Family members expressed outrage, asserting that many deported individuals were innocent and misled into surrendering. For instance, Gladys Coromoto Rojas, the grandmother of deportee Kenlyn Rodriguez, voiced her confusion: “How come so many people said they were coming to Venezuela and today they are in El Salvador?”
Among those affected is 36-year-old Maikel Rojas Olivera, who communicated with his family about returning to Venezuela, only to find himself in El Salvador instead. He had been detained by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency since October of the previous year. His sister expressed the family’s desperation for justice, stating, “We demand that they bring all those innocent boys from El Salvador to their country.”
Approximately 80 participants attended the protest, which included relatives and neighbors of the deported migrants. The Venezuelan government condemned the deportations, labeling the situation a kidnapping and has since engaged a law firm to facilitate the return of its citizens.
The protests highlight the deep distress and anger among families affected by the US deportations of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador. Many families believe that their loved ones have been wrongly imprisoned and demand their return. As the situation evolves, legal battles and political ramifications continue, complicating the fate of those deported and illustrating the broader impact of immigration policies.
Original Source: www.bssnews.net
