Venezuelan toddler returned in the USA after departure of parents

Venezuelan toddler returned in the USA after departure of parents

A Venezuelan toddler who was kept in US custody after the deportation of her parents was brought back to Venezuela. Maikelys Antonella Espinoza Bernal landed on Wednesday on a return flight from the USA at Simón Bolívar.

The return to Venezuela

The Venezuelan First Lady, Cilia Flores, wore the two -year -old girl in her arms when she announced the girl's return at a press conference at the airport. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said: "Today we have a big win." Venezuela had asked the United States to return the girl for weeks and accused the US authorities of kidnapping them.

allegations and reactions

The US Ministry of Internal Security (DHS) rejected the accusation and argued that the family had been separated to protect Maikelys from their parents, which is supposed to be part of the criminal group Tren de Aragua (TDA). Maikely's mother rejected this claim.

In March, the father, Maiker Espinoza-Escalona, was deported to El Salvador to a notorious prison, as the Venezuelan government reported. The mother of Yorelys Bernal was later deported on a flight to Venezuela without her daughter.

reunification with the family

On Wednesday, the girl was reunited with her mother and grandmother in the presidential palace in Caracas. The state television broadcaster showed Bernal, who cried with joy when she held her daughter firmly in her arms. President Nicolás Maduro said that Venezuelan officials cooperated with lawyers and human rights groups in the United States to secure the girl's return. "I have to thank Ambassador Richard Grenell, the special sentence of the (US) President Donald Trump, for his efforts. And President Donald Trump," he added. "There were and will give differences, but with God's blessing it is possible to advance."

The separation of the family

The toddler and her parents entered the USA in May 2024 to apply for asylum, as can be seen from a legally submitted document of lawyers. After their arrival, the couple were accepted, while their daughter was given to the care of the Office for Refugee settlement (ORR). The father said in an affidavit that they had weekly visits to their daughter until his deportation in July.

On March 29, Espinoza was sent to a naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where the DHS transferred migrants. According to court documents, he was flown to the notorious Cecot prison in El Salvador the following day to capture hundreds of Venezuelan migrants that accuse them of being violent gang members, although no valid evidence was presented.

The mother of the toddler was deported to El Salvador shortly after her father's deportation. She was forced to return without her two -year -old child, said the Venezuelan authorities. The girl stayed in the care of the Orr, whereby the DHS explained: "We will not allow this child to be misused and continue to be exposed to crime activities that endanger their security."

Bernal said that she suspected that the US authorities had associated them with Tren de Aragua, due to their tattoos, which according to their statements only document their family.

This story continues to develop and is updated.