US deports 226 Venezuelans, including toddler separated from mother

BOGOTA, Colombia / ISTANBUL

The US deported 226 Venezuelan migrants on Wednesday, including a two-year-old girl who had been separated from her mother and held in US custody, Venezuela’s government said.

A plane operated by a US airline departed from Texas and arrived at Simon Bolivar International Airport near Caracas, according to state broadcaster VTV.

The group included 7 children, 37 women and 182 men. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello received the returnees at the airport.

Also on Wednesday, authorities confirmed the return of Maikelys Espinoza, a 2-year-old Venezuelan girl who was held in US foster care after being separated from her mother during a deportation operation.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said “there have been, and will be, differences” with the Trump administration, but described the child’s return as “a profoundly humane act of justice.” He publicly thanked Donald Trump for assisting with the repatriation.

Cabello called the case “a great victory” and said the girl “should never have been separated from her parents.” He urged the US to “recognize the mistakes it has made.”

Maikelys’ mother said they surrendered to US authorities in May 2024 and were later separated without warning.

The US Department of Homeland Security said the girl was placed in foster care for her protection, citing allegations that her parents were linked to the Tren de Aragua gang — a Venezuela-based criminal group.

According to official figures, more than 4,000 Venezuelan migrants have been deported from the US and Mexico since February. Many had gathered in border areas in hopes of crossing into the US.