Venezuelan Mothers Search for Justice Amid Deportation of Sons to El Salvador

Venezuelan mothers in Los Pescadores are identifying their sons in images of alleged gang members deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration. Many insist their sons are innocent, using personal identifiers like tattoos and physical features to prove their claims. The families highlight their struggles and plead for justice amid narratives labeling these young men as criminals.

On March 17, a group of distraught mothers in Los Pescadores, Zulia, Venezuela, began to recognize their sons in images of alleged gang members recently deported to El Salvador. These deportees were sent to the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) as part of a plan initiated by the Trump administration targeting members of the Tren de Aragua criminal gang. Despite the government’s claims, these mothers insist that their sons are not criminals and have identified them through distinct features like tattoos and physical traits.

Mercedes Yamarte expressed anguish over her son Melvin, who reportedly has no criminal record. In a video, she emphasized, “My son doesn’t even have a criminal record. He’s a good, hard-working boy.” Her nephew, Jair Valera, stated that their relatives surrendered to the U.S. while seeking a better life but were then deported to El Salvador instead of Venezuela.

Melvin’s tattoos represent his family; one honors his daughter, another his partner, and the last reflects his love for his mother. Mercedes recalled the heartbreaking moment she recognized her son in a video, stating, “His eyes screamed at me to help him.” She described how her life shattered with this revelation, asserting that they are humble people with no criminals among them.

Mervin’s journey began in 2023 when he traveled through the Darién Jungle and eventually reached Dallas, Texas. However, his life took a drastic turn when he was detained by immigration agents along with friends. Mercedes and other mothers began sharing their fears when they recognized their sons among the deportees, who are mostly under 40 years of age.

Other mothers like Yareli Herrera and Carmen Reyes echoed similar sentiments of despair and disbelief as they searched for their children in the released images. Herrera emphasized, “My son doesn’t belong to Tren de Aragua either. He left looking for a good future for his daughter,” stressing that her son only sought a better life.

Mirelys Casique also pleaded for help in locating her son, Francisco García, who had initially expected to be deported to Venezuela. She described her shock at recognizing him in the media coverage. Other mothers have expressed similar anguish upon discovering their children’s identities among the deportees, calling attention to their sons’ lack of criminal records.

While government representatives have labeled these men as “terrorists” and “monsters,” the families maintain their innocence. Jair Valera’s heartfelt plea to Bukele for a thorough investigation underscores the desperation of these mothers, who argue, “not everyone belongs to the Tren de Aragua. My cousin doesn’t belong to the Tren de Aragua.” These mothers continue to seek justice and transparency regarding their children’s circumstances, affirming their belief in their sons’ innocence.

The plight of these Venezuelan mothers highlights the complexities surrounding deportation and the erroneous labeling of innocents as gang members. Despite governmental assertions, families consistently argue for the innocence of their loved ones, underscoring the need for thorough investigations into individual cases. The mothers’ heart-wrenching accounts reveal the human cost of immigration enforcement and the urgent need for compassion in understanding their journeys.

Original Source: english.elpais.com