Over 100 Deported Venezuelans Die or Go Missing in Devastating Earthquake Hours After Arrival
More than 100 Venezuelans deported from the United States died or went missing in catastrophic earthquakes just hours after arriving back in Venezuela. A flight carrying 146 Venezuelans left Miami and landed in Caracas on Wednesday at 10:22 a.m. local time. Shortly after, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the country, causing injuries, disappearances, and deaths among the deportees. The confirmed death toll nationwide has reached approximately 1,800, with tens of thousands still missing, and the number of casualties is expected to rise.
The deportees were taken to the Santuario Hotel in La Guaira for care. A spokesperson for the U.S. Homeland Security Department told the Daily Mail that the Venezuelans were no longer in custody when the earthquake hit. "This flight arrived safely to Venezuela and all undocumented individuals on board were returned home," the spokesperson said. "Once a person is no longer in immigration custody, we are no longer responsible for them."
Deportations from the U.S. to Venezuela have accelerated in recent months following the Trump administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status for 300,000 immigrants. In May alone, 1,746 Venezuelans were deported on 12 flights, operating three days a week, according to the Daily Mail.
Yesterday, a joint delegation from Israel's Foreign Ministry, IDF, and Home Front Command departed for Venezuela to assist. Already on the ground is Rabbi Yosef German, former Chief Rabbi of Guatemala and current CEO of the Humanitarian Coalition, leading aid efforts alongside dozens of local volunteers trained by the international ZAKA unit in rescue, trauma, and medical assistance. Rabbi German told Ynet that the international volunteer network spans Latin American countries including Guatemala, Colombia, and El Salvador. Volunteers quickly mobilized to support local forces, providing critical first aid and medical care to many survivors trapped under rubble. He emphasized the importance of the first 72 hours for saving lives, while noting ongoing urgent needs for medical treatment, medicines, and equipment.
