The US deported them to Venezuela - hours later earthquakes struck

What Happened

On 24 June, a U.S. deportation flight carrying over 140 Venezuelans, including Abelardo Rincón (23), Darwin Eliecer Serrano Lopez (35), and Daniel Alejandro Nunez (28), landed in Venezuela amid President Trump's immigration crackdown. The deportees were housed by Venezuelan authorities at Hotel Santuario La Llanada in La Guaira, a coastal city. Hours later, twin earthquakes struck the country, killing at least 2,200 people, injuring more than 10,000, and leaving 50,000 missing according to UN figures. The hotel collapsed, trapping many deportees; some survivors, such as Lisbeth Portillo (58) and Anderson Daniel Salcedo (22), were pulled from rubble, but Rincón, Serrano Lopez, Nunez, and others remain missing. Families have searched morgues and hospitals, with Rincón's grandfather viewing at least 200 bodies. Venezuelan authorities blocked access to the hotel site, stating there was 'no life' there. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed the flight 'safely reached Venezuela' and said ICE is no longer responsible for individuals after release from custody.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The incident exposes the acute human cost at the intersection of U.S. deportation policy and Venezuela's fragile infrastructure, compounded by a natural disaster. It highlights the lack of post-removal accountability and protection for deported individuals, deepening the humanitarian crisis already facing millions of Venezuelan migrants. The episode also tests the strained bilateral relationship and raises questions about the safety of forced returns to a country grappling with political and economic collapse.

Watch For

Confirmation of the fate of missing deportees as recovery efforts continue; potential legal or diplomatic actions by families or advocacy groups seeking accountability from U.S. or Venezuelan authorities; changes to deportation procedures or bilateral agreements on migrant returns; and the broader impact on U.S.-Venezuela relations amid ongoing political tensions.