Protests Erupt in Venezuela Against US Deportations to El Salvador

Families of Venezuelan migrants protested in Barquisimeto against their deportation to El Salvador, claiming deception regarding their destination. Over 200 migrants were sent to a Salvadoran prison, accused of gang affiliation. The Venezuelan government labeled the deportation as kidnapping and is pursuing legal avenues for their return.

On March 23, 2025, a protest took place in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, where families of Venezuelan migrants deported to a maximum security prison in El Salvador expressed their outrage. They claimed to have been “deceived” into believing that their relatives were being sent back to Venezuela, when in fact they were flown to El Salvador on March 16, following a controversial decree by President Donald Trump.

The deportation involved over 200 individuals, alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang or illegal immigrants, according to the Trump administration. In response, a legal standoff emerged in Washington as a judge attempted to block these deportation flights. The situation has intensified anger among families in Venezuela who maintain that many deportees were innocent.

Gladys Coromoto Rojas, the grandmother of deportee Kenlyn Rodriguez, questioned, “How come so many people said they were coming to Venezuela and today they are in El Salvador?” Her sentiments echoed those of many protesters, who demanded the release of the detained migrants. Additionally, the family of Maikel Rojas Olivera shared their distress, noting that he had communicated plans to return home just before his deportation.

Approximately 80 individuals participated in the protest, voicing their demands for justice and the return of the innocent migrants. The Venezuelan government characterized the actions surrounding the deportations as kidnapping and is seeking legal assistance to facilitate the return of the deported individuals to Venezuela.

The protests against the deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador from the United States have underscored the anguish of families who believe their loved ones were misled about their final destinations. As the situation escalates legally and politically, the Venezuelan government seeks to classify the deportations as a kidnapping. The mounting public outcry illustrates the deep discontent and calls for accountability regarding these actions.

Original Source: www.bssnews.net