Venezuela: Relatives of Kidnapped Migrants in El Salvador Ask for Proof of Life

The families of Venezuelan migrants detained in maximum-security prisons in El Salvador have taken to the streets to protest the injustice outside the United Nations (UN) headquarters in Caracas, Venezuela. The protesters sought to deliver a document in which the parents and spouses of the Venezuelans called for the agency’s intervention, and demanded the migrants’ “proof of life.”

Gianluca Rampolla, the UN Resident Coordinator in Venezuela, received the document from the families at the protest this Wednesday, April 9. “We are here to work for everyone’s rights,” he said. “We will work for these detainees and ensure that due process is respected.”

“Thank you for welcoming us and always having your doors open for us, truly thank you,” one of the mothers said when presenting the document. “This is a request for a response we’re waiting for from you, which I know you’ll give us soon.”

Carlos Alejandro Cañizales’s mother said that they were “told that this is a slow process and procedure, meaning it doesn’t happen overnight.” She pointed out that for her, one day can feel like three months, so the wait isn’t easy.

She added that they will continue fighting and, as far as possible, will continue trying to maintain their own calm.

“We want answers, we want proof of life for our children, we want to know they’re okay, and we call on everyone to support us, because nothing is known,” she emphasized. “Trump has given the migrants in the US a deadline of April 25th. There are already 250 [kidnapped migrants]. Our fear, and that of other parents, is that there won’t be 250, there will be more.”

Government support
The family members noted that none of their relatives have a criminal record, and highlighted the fact that they have had the consistent support of representatives of the Venezuelan government in this process.

“The government has truly given us its full support; we’ve felt supported,” they said. “We’ve been to the prosecutor’s office, we’ve been to the vice presidency, everywhere.”

They added that a power of attorney has already been issued for the law firm, backed by President Maduro and the vice president, to operate in El Salvador, requesting the liberation of those illegally and immorally incarcerated in the controversial Salvadorian prisons.

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“The president is helping many people who come from abroad,” said another protester. “There are people with disabilities there, there’s a woman with cancer. It’s sad to see her in this situation, desperate as a mother.” She added that she wished she were the one in El Salvador, rather than her relative.

“We want proof of life, President Bukele,” they demanded. “We want to know if our children are okay.”

(Últimas Noticias) by Aura Torrealba

Translation: Orinoco Tribune

OT/JRE/AU