On June 24, a group of 147 Venezuelan nationals deported by the United States arrived in Venezuela shortly before powerful earthquakes struck the northern part of the country. The individuals were transferred to the Hotel Sanitario La Llanada in La Guaira, where they were temporarily housed while awaiting further processing. Just hours later, two significant seismic events, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, hit the region, causing widespread destruction. The earthquake led to the collapse of the hotel building, trapping most of the deportees under the rubble.
The survivors have been few, with reports indicating that only 12 individuals managed to escape alive from the wreckage. One survivor recounted the experience, stating, "From the deportees, we remain 12." Families of the affected individuals expressed concern over the lack of official information regarding their loved ones' whereabouts. They called for urgent rescue operations to continue at the site. However, the Venezuelan government has yet to release specific figures or a list detailing the fate of these deportees following the disaster.
According to family members, the government contacted one relative informing her that her family member had died, confirmed by a representative from the "Mission Vuelta a la Patria," which oversees the repatriation of Venezuelan migrants since 2025. This call was made by someone identifying themselves as part of this program. The woman, however, denied the claim, insisting that her brother was still alive and present beside another survivor who was hospitalized. She described how her brother had been detained in the U.S. for more than a month before being deported back to Venezuela. During the earthquake, he witnessed other repatriates jumping out of windows to avoid being trapped in the debris. He ran from the second floor of the hotel but collapsed after hitting his head. While trapped beneath the rubble, he heard others shouting numbers, indicating there were at least eight survivors. Eventually, he was rescued after calling out alone, "one."
Another individual, Norbert Martínez, is searching for his sister, Mariángela, who was also among those deported from the U.S. and arrived on the same flight. He traveled nearly four hours from Yaracuy to reach Caracas, where he has been visiting morgues and hospitals ever since the earthquakes occurred. Despite the efforts of families seeking information about their relatives, the government has not provided detailed statistics on the number of deceased or injured individuals among the deportees. Instead, it released general figures: 1,719 deaths and 5,034 injuries due to the earthquakes.
La Guaira, already struggling with humanitarian challenges, faces additional strain from the aftermath of the earthquakes. Search and rescue teams continue working on-site, though the likelihood of finding more survivors diminishes with each passing day. The earthquakes have caused extensive damage, affecting nearly 800 buildings across the area. The situation highlights the ongoing crisis faced by the city, compounded by the recent tragedy involving the deportees.
The incident underscores the complex interplay between migration policies and natural disasters. The deportees, many of whom had endured perilous journeys through dangerous routes such as the Tapón de Darién, found themselves caught in yet another life-threatening scenario upon arrival in Venezuela. Their story reflects broader issues surrounding migration, repatriation, and the vulnerability of displaced populations during emergencies. As search efforts persist, the hope remains that more survivors can be found, and that the families of the missing will receive clarity about their loved ones' fates.
3 reports
RTP NotíciasState / PublicCenterFactual 85Objective 807 days agoA group of 147 Venezuelan nationals deported by the United States arrived in Venezuela on June 24, just hours before powerful earthquakes struck the northern part of the country. The majority of the group is believed to be buried under rubble after the hotel in La Guaira where they were temporarily housed collapsed during the tremors. The immigrants, including at least seven children, were transferred to the Hotel Sanitario La Llanada shortly after their arrival. Survivors reported that only 12 people have been rescued so far, while families of the deportees claim they have received no official information about the others' whereabouts and are demanding more rescue teams. Venezuelan authorities have not released specific casualty figures for this group. The tragedy worsens the humanitarian crisis in La Guaira, which is already struggling with the aftermath of the earthquakes, which have caused at least 1,450 deaths and affected nearly 800 buildings.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a natural disaster and its impact on a group of deportees without taking a clear stance on political issues. It focuses on the humanitarian crisis and does not show overt bias toward any political side, despite mentioning the U.S. deportation policy.
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 80): Factual claims align with cross-source consensus regarding the 147 Venezuelans deported by the US being buried under collapsed buildings. Some details like the exact number of survivors and lack of official information are consistent with other reports. Language is mostly neutral but includes some e
RTP NotíciasState / PublicProgressiveFactual 75Objective 806 days ago Search continues for U.S. deportees buried under rubbleThe article reports on the tragic situation of Venezuelan migrants who were deported by the United States and subsequently affected by earthquakes in Venezuela. These migrants were taken to a hotel where personal data was processed before their release. One migrant, who had fled Venezuela years ago after surviving the dangerous Darién route, was detained by U.S. authorities and later deported. During the earthquake, he witnessed other repatriates jumping from windows to escape the rubble. He himself collapsed after being hit in the head while fleeing from the second floor of a hotel in La Guaira, which was heavily damaged by the tremors. His sister reported that he was alone in the rubble for some time before being rescued. The Venezuelan government has not provided specific information on the fate of the repatriated individuals, only stating a general death toll of 1,719 and 5,034 injured. Another individual, Norbert Martínez, searches for his sister, Mariángela, who was also deported and arrived during the repatriation flight.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the situation through the perspective of Venezuelan migrants and their experiences under U.S. deportation policies, highlighting systemic issues such as lack of legal resources and state control over repatriation. It emphasizes the humanitarian crisis and the impact of government-
Why these scores (Factual 75 · Objective 80): Provides specific details about the deportation process and personal stories, supporting the overall narrative. Factually consistent with other reports. Tone is generally neutral, though some emotional language is used.
PúblicoIndependentCenterFactual 70Objective 857 days ago147 venezuelanos foram deportados pelos Estados Unidos e regressaram ao país em um voo de repatriação. Ao chegar ao aeroporto, eles encontraram o hotel onde estavam hospedados destruído por deslizamentos de terra, deixando-os presos sob escombros enquanto esperavam autorização para retornar às suas casas.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a humanitarian crisis involving Venezuelan citizens deported by the U.S., which has significant political implications due to the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the immediate situation without overtly criticizing or la
Why these scores (Factual 70 · Objective 85): Factual content is limited to the general claim of 147 Venezuelans being buried after deportation, but lacks specifics. Objectivity is high as it presents the event without bias. However, the article is brief and does not provide enough context to assess full accuracy.
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