Venezuelan Deportees​ Arrive as U.S., Venezuela Clash Over‍ Separated Child

CARACAS, ⁣Venezuela⁢ (AP) — A ​flight ‌carrying 183 Venezuelan ‌deportees from the United States landed in Venezuela Friday, according to Diosdado⁢ Cabello, the nation’s interior minister. Cabello made the‌ proclamation‌ at a press conference shortly after​ the plane’s arrival.

The ‍group included 157 men and 26 women,​ transported from ​Honduras aboard a Conviasa state company⁢ aircraft, Cabello ‍said.

Repatriation⁤ Numbers Since⁣ 2021

cabello stated⁣ that with‌ this ​latest ​arrival, the number of Venezuelan migrants repatriated since⁤ 2021 totals 3,646.This figure encompasses both ⁢individuals deported ​from the U.S. and⁤ those who​ have​ voluntarily returned, primarily from⁣ Mexico.

Venezuela⁤ Demands ⁢Return of Minor

Venezuelan officials⁤ are also⁤ pressing the⁢ U.S. to return ⁤Venezuelan minors, specifically highlighting‍ the‍ case ⁣of Maikelys Antonella Espinoza Bernal. The 2-year-old girl was separated‌ from her ‍parents in 2024, and her ⁤case has become⁤ a focal point of the Maduro government’s criticism of U.S. immigration policies.

Maikelys is currently in U.S. custody. U.S. authorities allege, without ​providing evidence, that ​her parents are associated with ⁢the Aragua criminal‌ organization and that‍ the separation was enacted for the child’s safety.

The girl’s​ father,⁤ Maiker ​espinoza,‌ was deported ⁢to El Salvador, while‍ her mother, Yorelys Bernal, was returned to Venezuela. Bernal‌ denies‍ any criminal affiliation and is demanding her ⁤daughter’s repatriation.

Cabello characterized the U.S.’s failure to include Maikelys on the‍ repatriation flight as ‌”the‌ arrogant​ response of imperialism to the ‍forceful⁢ claim of hundreds of thousands of people in Caracas, claiming, demanding​ the return of‍ Maikelys.”

U.S.​ Response

The⁣ U.S. Department of Homeland​ Security (DHS), in a statement to CNN, maintained its stance, asserting,‍ again without providing evidence, ​that ‌the child’s parents are⁢ members of the⁢ Aragua ‌Train criminal group.

The ‌DHS statement read: “Due to⁢ the violent criminal activities of her parents, which ⁢include operating a‍ house ⁢of ⁤torture, sex trafficking and *scuestro*, the girl was‌ removed from her custody. We‌ will⁣ not allow this girl ⁢to be abused⁤ and⁢ continue exposed to​ criminal activity that⁤ puts‌ her⁢ safety at risk.”