Families of deported Venezuelans killed in quakes demand US apology

Families of Venezuelan nationals deported from the United States have called for an official apology from American authorities following the deaths of 146 deportees in devastating earthquakes that struck in June.

The relatives claim that US officials failed in their duty of care toward the detainees, who were being held at a detention facility in the coastal city of La Guaira when the deadly seismic events occurred. The families argue that proper safety measures and protections were not in place despite advance knowledge of seismic risks in the region.

The deportations had returned the Venezuelan nationals to their home country, where they were held pending processing and integration. The families contend that the detention conditions and lack of adequate safety protocols contributed to the loss of life when the earthquakes struck, with the facility offering insufficient protection for those held there.

The incident has drawn scrutiny to US deportation procedures and the conditions faced by deported individuals, particularly in countries vulnerable to natural disasters. The families' demands come as attention grows on how receiving nations and deporting authorities coordinate on the safety and welfare of returnees.

US officials have not yet issued a formal response to the demands for an apology, though the case raises questions about international obligations toward deported nationals and disaster preparedness in detention facilities.