Apology sought for deportees killed in Venezuelan quakes
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Relatives of Venezuelan deportees who died in recent earthquakes are demanding an apology from the interim government.
- They allege authorities prevented detainees from evacuating during the quakes and failed to prepare an escape plan.
- Families are seeking moral compensation and an explanation for the events, intending to file domestic and international complaints.
Grief and anger are palpable among the families of Venezuelan deportees who perished in the recent earthquakes, as they demand an apology from the interim government. A total of 146 deported individuals were reportedly detained in La Guaira state just hours before the devastating quakes struck on June 24.
my son did not have a criminal record either in the United States or in Venezuela... What were they doing carrying out an unlawful arrest?
Oswadelis Nunez, mother of the deceased Daniel Alejandro Nunez Ramirez, questioned the legality of the arrest, stating her son had no criminal record in either the United States or Venezuela. She further alleged that authorities blocked detainees from leaving their holding facility when the earthquakes hit and had not prepared any evacuation plan, leading to their deaths.
We want moral compensation, an apology, (to know) why they did that, why that happened to our children.
"We want moral compensation, an apology, (to know) why they did that, why that happened to our children," Nunez stated, expressing the families' intent to pursue domestic and international complaints. She also called for improved deportation protocols, criticizing the lack of transparency regarding the number of individuals returned to Venezuela, survivors, and fatalities.
I will love you forever, my little boy.
Luz Maris Melendez, whose son Angelo David Mejia Melendez also died, asserted, "The government failed in its duty of care. They must be held accountable." The interim government has reported 6,509 deaths from the quakes so far, with the coastal state of La Guaira particularly devastated, seeing at least 190 buildings collapse.
The government failed in its duty of care. They must be held accountable.
Originally published by RTร News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.