Venezuelans deported by the US hours before the deadly earthquake struck are missing

Venezuelans Deported by the US Hours Before Earthquake Are Missing

Venezuelans deported by the US hours before a devastating earthquake struck are now feared lost in the rubble, as families search desperately for answers. The disaster, which hit the coastal city of La Guaira on Wednesday, claimed at least 1,700 lives and left many others trapped in the collapsed hotel where the deportees had been staying. According to the ICE Flight Monitor, the 146 Venezuelans aboard the U.S. deportation flight included 19 women and 7 children, raising concerns about their safety in the wake of the quake.

Timeline of the Deportation and Disaster

The U.S. deportation flight arrived at Simón Bolívar International Airport just hours before the earthquake. Many of the deportees had been sent home under the Trump administration’s policy to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans, which allowed for accelerated removals. The timing of the event has sparked debate about whether the deportees were adequately prepared for the sudden disaster. Local authorities confirmed the quake’s epicenter was near the hotel, where dozens of deportees had been housed.

Amid the chaos, families like that of Luis Armando Dasilva have been left in despair. His sister, Amanda Donizete, was among those deported, and he has been searching for her since the quake. “They are not giving us answers about where she is. If she is there at a hospital or at the morgue, we have already checked all of that and we haven’t found her,” Dasilva told CNN. His emotional plea underscores the urgency of the situation as rescuers work to locate survivors.

Impact on Deportees and Community

Officials have reported that the earthquake’s tremors were strong enough to destabilize the hotel, which housed over 100 deportees. The building’s collapse has left families in a state of panic, with many questioning whether the deportees were properly accommodated. A video shared by a Venezuelan government official showed deportees disembarking from the plane, some tearful, others hopeful. One woman, whose husband had lived in the U.S. for three years, described his final call: “He told me, ‘I love you so much, Mom. See you tomorrow at home.’”

While the U.S. has deployed search and rescue teams and allocated $300 million in relief funds for Venezuela, families argue that more needs to be done. The wife of a deportee expressed frustration, stating, “Since Friday we have been waiting for an answer to see if the local authorities will hand over the bodies to us. Because they say there is no life.” This highlights the growing impatience as the search for missing individuals continues. The earthquake has also disrupted the daily lives of Venezuelans already struggling with economic hardship and political instability.

International Response and Calls for Accountability

International observers have echoed the families’ concerns, questioning the timing of the deportation. “It’s alarming that so many Venezuelans were sent back to their homeland just hours before a major disaster struck,” said a spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration. The event has reignited discussions about the U.S. policy on immigration and its potential consequences for vulnerable populations. Some experts suggest that the deportations could have been delayed to allow for better safety measures, but officials defend the process as necessary.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela continues to worsen. With the earthquake adding to the list of challenges, the government is under pressure to provide immediate aid and recover bodies for proper burials. The families of the missing deportees are demanding transparency, insisting that their loved ones were not prepared for such a tragedy. “We want our family members—whatever condition they are in—to be able to bury them,” Dasilva said, his voice trembling with emotion.

As rescue operations persist, the focus remains on finding survivors and recovering bodies. The quake’s aftermath has brought the issue of Venezuelans deported by the U.S. to the forefront of international attention. While the U.S. and Venezuela work together to address the disaster, the timing of the deportations has left many questioning the wisdom of the decision. For now, the families wait, hoping for clarity and closure in the days to come.