Venezuela Election: Girl’s Kidnapping & Campaign Launch
- CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The Venezuelan government is demanding the return of a young girl, Maikelys Espinoza, who was allegedly separated from her mother by U.S.immigration authorities.
- Venezuela's Ministry for Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning what it described as the unjust actions of U.S.
- The ministry further alleged that the girl's father was "kidnapped and sent... to the concentration camp that the satrap of (nayib) Bukele erected in El Salvador," without due...
Venezuela Demands Return of Child Separated from Mother in U.S. Immigration Case
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The Venezuelan government is demanding the return of a young girl, Maikelys Espinoza, who was allegedly separated from her mother by U.S.immigration authorities. The case has sparked outrage in Venezuela, becoming a focal point during recent worker demonstrations.
Foreign Ministry Condemns U.S. actions
Venezuela’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning what it described as the unjust actions of U.S. immigration officials. The ministry accused the U.S. of “separating families and subtracting a minor from their affective environment, and especially, of her biological mother.”
Allegations of Further Injustice
The ministry further alleged that the girl’s father was “kidnapped and sent… to the concentration camp that the satrap of (nayib) Bukele erected in El Salvador,” without due process. The accuracy of this claim could not be independently verified.
Call for International Action
The Foreign Ministry is calling for Maikelys Espinoza’s immediate return to Venezuela, emphasizing the need to restore “the rule of law and the elementary prerogatives that our little girl has,” citing the Worldwide Declaration of the rights of the Child.
the government stated it would pursue all available legal, political, diplomatic, and multilateral avenues to ensure the family’s integrity is respected and international laws are upheld, so that the child can return to her country safely.
President Maduro Weighs In
President Nicolás Maduro addressed the situation during International Workers’ day, expressing hope that U.S. justice would “soon from a measure that allows the return of little Maikelys to her mother’s arms.”
Maduro claimed the girl is one of “thousands of cases of children of Latin Americans and Caribbean who are kidnapped in the United States.”
He also accused the “extremist right” of manipulating the narrative surrounding Venezuelan migrants, naming opposition figures such as Leopoldo López, Juan Guaidó, maría Corina Machado, Julio Borges, Antonio Ledezma and Juan Pablo Guanipa. Maduro stated these individuals are “responsible for having imposed a narrative to relate migrants to this criminal band and ask for their persecution,” though he did not provide specific evidence.
Supreme Court Intervention
Venezuela’s Social Cassation Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) has issued a preventive measure in favor of the girl, denouncing the U.S. authorities’ actions as “arbitrary and abusive without taking into consideration her best interest.”
The TSJ ordered “family reunification” with the girl’s mother, Yorely Escarleth Bernal Inciarte, and her “immediate return… in a safe and healthy way.”
Other Organizations Join the Call
Organizations including Josefa joaquina Sánchez, Great Mission Venezuela Woman, and the Antifascist International have also voiced support for the girl’s return.
The Antifascist International described the separation as a “perverse and deeply inhuman act,” potentially constituting a crime against humanity, and called for international solidarity from unions, anti-racist movements, feminist groups, and human rights defenders to support the #FreemaikelylySeespinoza campaign.
Domestic Political Context
The case unfolds as Venezuela prepares for elections on May 25. The “great patriotic pole Simón Bolívar” presented its VEN25+ platform to supporters, involving 54 political parties and over 6,000 candidates.
Candidates are campaigning across the country until May 22.
Diplomatic Efforts and Migrant Returns
In related news, Maduro and the Prime Minister of Granada, Dickon Mitchell, recently signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation. Additionally,two flights arrived in Venezuela this week carrying 357 migrants deported from the United States as part of a government repatriation program.
venezuela Demands Return of Child Separated from Mother in U.S. Immigration Case: A Q&A
What is the main issue at the center of the controversy?
The Venezuelan government is demanding the return of a young girl, maikelys Espinoza, who was separated from her mother by U.S. immigration authorities. the case has become a major point of contention and sparked outrage within Venezuela.
Why is the Venezuelan government demanding the girl’s return?
The Venezuelan government, through its Foreign Ministry, accuses the U.S. of “separating families” and removing a minor from her “affective environment, and especially, of her biological mother.” They emphasize the need to restore “the rule of law” and the child’s rights, citing the Worldwide Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
What actions has the Venezuelan government taken?
The Venezuelan government is taking multiple actions:
Condemnation: The Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the actions of U.S. immigration officials.
Legal and Diplomatic Efforts: The government stated it would pursue all legal, political, diplomatic, and multilateral avenues to ensure the family’s reunification and uphold international laws.
Supreme Court Intervention: Venezuela’s Supreme Court issued a preventive measure in favor of the girl, ordering family reunification with her mother and her “immediate return… in a safe and healthy way.”
What are some of the specific allegations made by the Venezuelan government?
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry alleged that:
The girl’s father was “kidnapped” and sent to a concentration camp in El Salvador. This claim could not be independently verified.
U.S. immigration officials’ actions were “arbitrary and abusive.”
What is President maduro’s stance on the matter?
President nicolás Maduro addressed the situation during International Workers’ Day, expressing hope that the U.S. would allow Maikelys to return to her mother. He claimed this case is one of “thousands of cases of children of Latin Americans and Caribbean who are kidnapped in the United States.” He also accused opposition figures (Leopoldo López, Juan Guaidó, maría corina Machado, Julio Borges, Antonio Ledezma, and juan Pablo guanipa) of manipulating the narrative surrounding Venezuelan migrants.
Has anyone else voiced support for Maikelys’ return?
Yes,several organizations have come forward to support the girl’s return,including:
Josefa Joaquina Sánchez
Great Mission venezuela Woman
The Antifascist International
The Antifascist International described her separation as a “perverse and deeply inhuman act.”
What is the domestic political context surrounding the case?
The case arises as Venezuela prepares for elections on May 25. The “great patriotic pole simón Bolívar” has presented its VEN25+ platform, involving 54 political parties and over 6,000 candidates who are currently campaigning.
What other relevant news is mentioned in the article?
In addition to the case of Maikelys Espinoza, the article also mentions:
An agreement between President Maduro and the Prime Minister of Granada to strengthen cooperation.
The arrival of two flights carrying 357 migrants deported from the United States,as part of a repatriation program.
Can you summarize the key players and their roles in this situation?
Certainly! Here’s a breakdown:
| Key Player | role |
| :—————————- | :——————————————————————————————————————————————————————- |
| Venezuelan Government | Demanding return, issuing statements, pursuing legal/diplomatic avenues, Supreme Court intervention. |
| Foreign Ministry (Venezuela) | Condemning U.S. actions, issuing statements, calling for international action. |
| President Nicolás Maduro | Addressing the situation, expressing hope for the child’s return, accusing the opposition. |
| Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) | Issuing a preventive measure, ordering family reunification and the girl’s return. |
| U.S. Immigration Authorities | Involved in the separation of the child from her mother. (Details of their specific actions are not included in the provided article.) |
| Maikelys Espinoza | The young girl at the center of the case, separated from her mother. |
| Yorely Escarleth Bernal Inciarte | Maikelys’ mother. |
| Various Organizations | Voicing support for the girl’s return, including Josefa Joaquina Sánchez, Great Mission Venezuela Woman, and the Antifascist International. |
