More than 100 Venezuelans who were deported from the United States are missing after two earthquakes struck Venezuela, causing widespread destruction and chaos. The deportees, including 19 women and seven children, were being held in a hotel in La Guaira when the earthquakes hit.

Survivors’ Accounts

Lisbeth Portillo, 58, was one of the deportees who survived the earthquakes. She described the terrifying experience, saying she was trapped under the rubble but managed to escape with the help of other deportees. Portillo said she was born again after surviving the disaster, giving credit to God for giving her a second chance.

Another survivor, Jenny Rodriguez, 24, told Telemundo that she was trapped under the rubble but was able to free herself with the help of a colleague who had been on the same deportation flight. Rodriguez said she was grateful to God and her colleague for helping her escape.

Deportation Flight

The deportation flight that brought the Venezuelans to their home country was operated by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The flight was part of the Trump administration’s efforts to increase deportations. According to ICE Flight Monitor, an initiative of Human Rights First, there were 12 deportation flights to Venezuela in May, operating three days a week.

The Venezuelan government has confirmed that over 1,700 people were killed in the earthquakes, and many more are still missing. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not responded to requests for information about the missing deportees.

Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.