Venezuela: Deportation and Earthquake, the Double Tragedy of Flight 164

The devastating earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24 has brought to light the country's inadequate deportation protocol, leaving many families in a state of uncertainty and desperation. One such family is the Lamus family, who are searching for their loved one, Jhonattan Lamus, a 40-year-old man who was deported from the United States on flight 164.

The Story of Jhonattan Lamus

Jhonattan Lamus, a citizen of Táchira, Venezuela, had emigrated to Chile 11 years ago in search of better living conditions and to support his family with remittances from abroad. Three years ago, he had entered the United States, where he obtained a temporary protected status (TPS) that was later revoked by the Trump administration. He worked in pool installation and was detained and deported to Venezuela on flight 164 after attending a regular hearing.

The family of Jhonattan Lamus has been searching for him since his deportation, but their efforts have been met with contradictory and confusing information from the authorities. They have searched for him in hospitals, morgues, and even on the streets, but his body has not been found. The family has received false notifications of his death on four occasions, with one instance involving a woman's body being mistaken for his.

The Aftermath of the Earthquake

The earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24 has left many families in a state of grief and uncertainty. The Hotel Santuario, where the deported individuals were being held, collapsed, resulting in the deaths of many people. The exact number of deaths is still unknown, as the government has not released official information on the incident.

One of the survivors of the earthquake, who wished to remain anonymous, shared his testimony with France 24. He had been deported from the United States on flight 164 and was being held at the Hotel Santuario when the earthquake struck. He was injured and trapped under the rubble but managed to escape with the help of his fellow deportees. He reported that several SEBIN officials and police officers also died in the collapse.

The Search for Answers

Many families are still searching for their loved ones, and the lack of information from the authorities has only added to their suffering. The Lamus family is demanding that the government provide them with accurate information about Jhonattan's whereabouts. Adela Yelitza Osuna, Jhonattan's cousin, has been vocal about her family's ordeal and has criticized the government's handling of the situation.

The incident has raised questions about the treatment of deported individuals in Venezuela and the country's deportation protocol. Many are wondering why the deportees were not allowed to leave with their families after arriving at the airport and why they were subjected to interrogation and confiscation of their belongings. The survivor who shared his testimony reported that the authorities had taken their identification documents, phones, and other belongings, and had questioned them about their political inclinations and whether they had any money on them.