United States: Two-Year-Old Girl Reunited After Parents’ Expulsion to Venezuela
- CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Two-year-old Maikelys Espinoza, separated from her Venezuelan parents under a previous U.S.migration policy, arrived in Caracas on Wednesday, May 14, adn was greeted by...
- Maduro thanked former President Donald Trump for what he termed "an act of human justice."
- First Lady Cilia Flores welcomed Maikelys, according to public television images. The girl arrived on a flight carrying Venezuelan migrants from the United States.
Maikelys Espinoza Returns to Venezuela After Separation Under Trump Policy
Table of Contents
- Maikelys Espinoza Returns to Venezuela After Separation Under Trump Policy
- Maikelys Espinoza: A Q&A on Her Return to Venezuela
- Who is Maikelys Espinoza?
- What happened to Maikelys espinoza?
- When did Maikelys espinoza return to Venezuela?
- Who greeted Maikelys upon her return?
- What did President Maduro say about Maikelys’ return?
- Why was Maikelys’ separation from her parents controversial?
- What claims were made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about Maikelys’ parents?
- What is the Tren de Aragua gang?
- How did the mother, Yorely bernal Inciarte, respond to the allegations?
- What happened to maikelys’ father?
- Key Differences in Perspectives
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Two-year-old Maikelys Espinoza, separated from her Venezuelan parents under a previous U.S.migration policy, arrived in Caracas on Wednesday, May 14, adn was greeted by President Nicolas Maduro.
The child was alone after her parents’ expulsion. Maduro thanked former President Donald Trump for what he termed “an act of human justice.”
Separation Called “Abduction”
First Lady Cilia Flores welcomed Maikelys, according to public television images. The girl arrived on a flight carrying Venezuelan migrants from the United States. “Bienvenue Maikelys,” Flores said.
The sectorial vice president of Politics, Citizen Security and Peace, Diosdado Cabello Rondón, announced the rescue of the girl Maikelys Espinoza, kidnapped by the United States government.
“This has been a battle freed with the wisdom and experience of the president … pic.twitter.com/WmfXsNuM6U
— With the deck giving (@conelmazodando) May 14, 2025
Maduro acknowledged differences with washington, despite broken diplomatic ties since 2019. In late April, Caracas described the separation as a “kidnapping.” The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed it acted to “protect” the child from “criminal” parents.
Mother Refutes Crime Accusations
The DHS stated it acted for the girl’s “security and well-being,” placing her with a U.S. host family. They alleged her parents belonged to the Tren de Aragua gang.
venezuelan authorities contend that the father, Maker Espinoza Escalona, is among 250 migrants deported by the U.S. to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOC), a high-security prison. Washington accuses him of ties to Tren de Aragua.
The DHS alleges that the mother, Yorely Bernal Inciarte, “oversees the recruitment of young women for drug trafficking and prostitution,” while Escalona is a Tren de Aragua “lieutenant” who “supervises homicides, drug trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, [and] sexual traffic.”
Inciarte refuted these accusations in a prosecution-broadcast interview, stating she was separated from her daughter and father upon arriving in the U.S. in 2024, and has as communicated with her via video calls.
Maikelys Espinoza: A Q&A on Her Return to Venezuela
Who is Maikelys Espinoza?
Maikelys Espinoza is a two-year-old Venezuelan child who was separated from her parents under a previous U.S. migration policy. She arrived in caracas, venezuela, on Wednesday, May 14th, and was greeted by President Nicolas Maduro.
What happened to Maikelys espinoza?
Maikelys was separated from her parents as part of a U.S. migration policy during the Trump administration. Her parents were expelled, and she was brought back to Venezuela.
When did Maikelys espinoza return to Venezuela?
Maikelys Espinoza returned to Caracas, Venezuela, on Wednesday, may 14th.
Who greeted Maikelys upon her return?
Upon her return to Venezuela, Maikelys was greeted by President Nicolas maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.
What did President Maduro say about Maikelys’ return?
President Maduro thanked former President Donald Trump for what he termed “an act of human justice” regarding Maikelys’ return.
Why was Maikelys’ separation from her parents controversial?
The Venezuelan government, including officials like Diosdado Cabello Rondón, described the separation as a “kidnapping.” The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has stated that it acted to protect the child from “criminal” parents.
What claims were made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about Maikelys’ parents?
The DHS alleged that Maikelys’ parents were involved in criminal activities. They claimed the father, Maker Espinoza Escalona, is tied to the Tren de Aragua gang and is accused of supervising homicides, drug trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, and sexual traffic.The DHS alleged that the mother, Yorely bernal Inciarte, “oversees the recruitment of young women for drug trafficking and prostitution.”
What is the Tren de Aragua gang?
The Tren de Aragua is a criminal gang, tho further facts about the gang and its activities is not available in the provided text.
How did the mother, Yorely bernal Inciarte, respond to the allegations?
Yorely Bernal Inciarte refuted the accusations in a prosecution-broadcast interview. She stated that she was separated from her daughter and father upon arriving in the U.S. in 2024. She has since communicated with her daughter via video calls.
What happened to maikelys’ father?
According to Venezuelan authorities, the father, Maker Espinoza Escalona, is among 250 migrants deported by the U.S.to El Salvador’s Terrorism confinement Center (CECOC), a high-security prison.Washington accuses him of ties to the Tren de Aragua gang.
Key Differences in Perspectives
Here’s a summary of contrasting viewpoints regarding Maikelys Espinoza:
| Viewpoint | View on the Separation | Main Claims |
|---|---|---|
| Venezuelan Government | Called it a “kidnapping” | Accuses the U.S. of separating a child from her parents. |
| U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) | Stated it acted to “protect” the child. | Alleges the parents are involved in criminal activity, including ties to the Tren de Aragua gang. |